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Your Questions About Childrens Bible Stories About Jesus

Sunday, November 27th, 2011

George asks…

I am religious but have not baptized my children?

I have taught my children that Jesus Christ is their savior and about god and they say prayers because they want to not because i make them, they love saying grace even when not asked, we do not go to church, I have not yet found a church i really love, we go sometimes but not on a regular basis, I have not yet baptized them, will they go to heaven? We also believe to not baptize them until they were a bit older and can choose their own religion we do not want to put religion on them, he religion we believe but let them find their own way. although they seem to choose our path with the way they love going to church when we do go, and love saying grace and prayers and love hearing bible stories, we got them a childrens book of bible stories and prayers and they choose that book over others for a bed time story, they do this all on their own, we do also do not go to church because we as a branch of christian, Methodist, we believe your house of god can be where you feel fit and as long as you believe and pray and have been baptized and saved you do not have to go to church to prove your love and loyalty and faith to god to others, you can have a personal relationship with god and Jesus Christ wherever you feel fit. But hwat about our children? are we making the wrong decision? should they be baptized/christianed now? they are 5 and 6? Thank you to all who answer.God bless :)
I never said anything about my religion not being true or not believing it true. And i do not practice it but I live it. I teach my children all I know. I have two nephews who have went to church every Sunday their whole lives and they are 6, and my children know as much as them. I do not see how you could say this, when i never spoke of it. Thank you.

admin answers:

I’m surprised you haven’t asked your children if they would like to be baptized now. Especially considering they have shown a strong interest in getting to know who Jesus is they may wish to be taken under His wing as of now. Never underestimate the power of Christ’s love in a child’s life, for with Him they can do great things. Why wait when they want to know Him now?

Steven asks…

outsmarted by a 4 yr old in regards to Jesus?

okay you guys tell me…have I been outwitted by my 4 yr old nephew?

never laughed so hard in my life tonight….
THe whole family is kind of non religious christians…so when my nephew came carrying the book of childrens bible songs to me, I thought nothing of it as I taught him how to do the hand signs to deep and wide,…etc….we get to the last page and its the “jesus loves me” song….I start singing it, and he says…”he not loves me” To which I reply…yes he does, he saved us. he points at the cartoon drawing of Jesus, and says … I dont love him….him not save me…did he save you?
kind of dumbfounded at this point that he has never actually heard about Jesus in this family,,,,wondering if my own daughter has a clue….

so I start to change the subject….when he says….

He didnt save me………..I am NOT in that story!

sure enough, we looked …none of those kids in that picture were my nephew…

having no response….we all just cracked up…my 4 yr old nephew had outsmarted me!

would you agree?
Supertop: he is just a kid…It was extremely sharp of him to look at the pictures and take notice of the fact that not only did he NOT know the guy I was talking about, he also reckognised that he was NOT in that story!
BK: I could have told him a lot of things…but he isnt my kid…I dont tell other peoples kids what to believe!

admin answers:

And you think that is funny ? I bet you really get a laugh at cancer wards too. That is a particularly sad commentary on contemporary life when you think it is funny that a child is ignorant of the basics of the faith that his family espouses. I didn’t know that ignorance was humorous.

Nancy asks…

Christians and witnessing……?

how do you get in a word about Jesus?
Many people are either mis-informed or know next to nothing about the content of the bible.
I have noticed many people are more willing to listen and many more shocked to hear the true character God and the richness of the words Jesus when you actually get to refer to it.
To me it seems they think the bible is just filled with childrens stories and rules.
I would love to lay it all out and answer questions for them but it’s hard when it seems like they are just “giving it a chance”, you know?
So my question is, how do you, personally, keep it from being a systematic “project conversion” and really find yourself wowing people with Jesus?
I really only want Christians to answer, so it’ d be nice if those who don’t have a genuine answer would be respectful and not make this a “religion issue”.
There is more to God than just “religion” believe it or not. The verse reads “in the beginning there was the Word” not “in the beginning there was religion”

admin answers:

Interesting that you only want christians to answer!!

Is it the christians that you are wanting to witness to and failing? Thought not!!

Then why do you not want to know what the non christians think? Surely they are the very people to tell you why witnessing fails!!!

Helen asks…

Why does Jesus allow Evil things happen to his followers and believers ?

Did Deanna Laney bash her childrens brains because the bible told her to do it ?

“Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.” (Psalms 137:9, KJV)

“How blessed will be the one who seizes and dashes your little ones Against the rock.” (Psalms 137:9, New American Bible)

“Happy the man who shall seize and smash your little ones against the rock!” (Psalms 137:9, New American Bible)

“a blessing on anyone who seizes your babies and shatters them against a rock!” (Psalms 137:9, Jerusalem Bible)

Deanna Laney bashed in her childrens brains with a rock as ordered by GOD.

TYLER, Texas – A jury on Saturday began deliberating whether a homemaker was insane when she used rocks to bludgeon two of her sons to death and severely injure a third after receiving what she claimed were orders from God.
He recounted Joshua’s killing: “He got strike after strike after strike on his head to the point that his brains were coming out of his head like liquid.”
Defense attorney began her argument by asking the jury why a DEEPLY RELIGIOUS woman would kill two of her children and maim another without so much as a tear.

Laney, who home-schooled her children in the tiny town of New Chapel Hill, 100 miles southeast of Dallas, was convinced she was divinely chosen by God to kill her children last Mother’s Day weekend.

http://www.rednova.com/news/display/?id=53918

——————————————————————————–

ANDREA YATES – KILLED HER 4 CHILDREN

Much of Andrea’s psychosis had religious imagery. She was obsessed with images of Satan.
About the murders, she told her doctor, “It was the seventh deadly sin. My children weren’t
righteous. They stumbled because I was evil. The way I was raising them they could never be saved… Better for someone else to tie a millstone around their neck and cast them into a river than to stumble. They were going to parish [in Hell].” She said that, “Governor [George W.] Bush would have to destroy Satan.”

http://www.christianitymeme.org/yates.shtml

http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/05/12/slain.children/

——————————————————————————————————-

DENA SCHLOSSER – CUT OFF HER INFANTS ARMS

SHE SAID — “In the Book of Matthew, Jesus says: “If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”

http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=2694472&nav=EyAzUDQV

——————————————————————————————————-

LISA MONTGOMERY – CUT OPEN A MOTHER – TOOK BABY TO PASTOR

MELVERN, Kan. – A woman charged with killing an expectant mother and cutting the baby from her womb was showing the child off to people at a cafe and to her pastor hours before she was arrested, residents said Saturday.

—————————————————————————————–

Philip Badowski breaks chainsaw while cutting up the bodies of his Christian Missionary Parents

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Dec 11, 2004 — A college student who admitted he fatally shot his parents in their bedroom and broke a chain saw cutting up their bodies told investigators: “GOD told me to.”

He said the killings were “spur of the moment” after his parents scolded him when they returned from a weeklong missionary trip to Haiti.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=321584

////

admin answers:

I don’t think it was Jesus that these people were hearing. I suppose if you can prove it was you might have a valid question. I think other people that suffer from the same mental illness and have done horrible things have probably said it was the devil that told them, or some other figure.

William asks…

Why didnt Jesus save these missionarys from being chainsawed by their son ?

“Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.” (Psalms 137:9, KJV)

“How blessed will be the one who seizes and dashes your little ones Against the rock.” (Psalms 137:9, New American Bible)

“Happy the man who shall seize and smash your little ones against the rock!” (Psalms 137:9, New American Bible)

“a blessing on anyone who seizes your babies and shatters them against a rock!” (Psalms 137:9, Jerusalem Bible)

Deanna Laney bashed in her childrens brains with a rock as ordered by GOD.

TYLER, Texas – A jury on Saturday began deliberating whether a homemaker was insane when she used rocks to bludgeon two of her sons to death and severely injure a third after receiving what she claimed were orders from God.
He recounted Joshua’s killing: “He got strike after strike after strike on his head to the point that his brains were coming out of his head like liquid.”
Defense attorney began her argument by asking the jury why a DEEPLY RELIGIOUS woman would kill two of her children and maim another without so much as a tear.

Laney, who home-schooled her children in the tiny town of New Chapel Hill, 100 miles southeast of Dallas, was convinced she was divinely chosen by God to kill her children last Mother’s Day weekend.

http://www.rednova.com/news/display/?id=53918

——————————————————————————–

ANDREA YATES – KILLED HER 4 CHILDREN

Much of Andrea’s psychosis had religious imagery. She was obsessed with images of Satan.
About the murders, she told her doctor, “It was the seventh deadly sin. My children weren’t
righteous. They stumbled because I was evil. The way I was raising them they could never be saved… Better for someone else to tie a millstone around their neck and cast them into a river than to stumble. They were going to parish [in Hell].” She said that, “Governor [George W.] Bush would have to destroy Satan.”

http://www.christianitymeme.org/yates.shtml

http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/05/12/slain.children/

——————————————————————————————————-

DENA SCHLOSSER – CUT OFF HER INFANTS ARMS

SHE SAID — “In the Book of Matthew, Jesus says: “If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”

http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=2694472&nav=EyAzUDQV

——————————————————————————————————-

LISA MONTGOMERY – CUT OPEN A MOTHER – TOOK BABY TO PASTOR

MELVERN, Kan. – A woman charged with killing an expectant mother and cutting the baby from her womb was showing the child off to people at a cafe and to her pastor hours before she was arrested, residents said Saturday.

—————————————————————————————–

Philip Badowski breaks chainsaw while cutting up the bodies of his Christian Missionary Parents

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. Dec 11, 2004 — A college student who admitted he fatally shot his parents in their bedroom and broke a chain saw cutting up their bodies told investigators: “GOD told me to.”

He said the killings were “spur of the moment” after his parents scolded him when they returned from a weeklong missionary trip to Haiti.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=321584

////

admin answers:

Seek help…seek professional help and do it quickly.
There is not much time.

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Your Questions About Bible Stories

Saturday, November 26th, 2011

Bible stories?

i am doing vbs with little kids like kindergarten to third graders and i just wanted to brush up on the important bible stories!!
thanks!!!

admin answers:

A great book to read bible stories out of for little kids is a book called , ” Bible Stories” by: Arthur Maxwell. There is also, “The Bedtime Stories” You can check these out at this link…

Http://www.thebiblestory.com/images/title-about_tbs.gif

Bible Stories

I need 1-2 stories from the Bible that have to do with Friends and Family; but not The Last Supper.

If u cant write out the entire story, just the chapter will suffice.
Thanks

admin answers:

Here is something you might be able to use.

Jesus’ Family Values (Mark 3:31-35)

There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

Compare: Matthew 12:46-50; Luke 8:19-21

Hope this helps you.

Peace
JAJ

David asks…

bible stories?

i looking for a good website were i can teach my kids about the bible stories
i’m wondering if anyone knows any website i can go there watch some bible stories for free like cartoons style or animation if anyone knows please let me no thanks
for free only
if y’all don’t no
please don’t leave no comments

admin answers:

Hooked on phonics make a program called hooked on bible that is really cool

Lizzie asks…

What are some Bible stories that are examples of why we celebrate Easter?

I am needing about 5-7 Bible stories could be used to explain why we celebrate Easter. I don’t want the Easter story but rather different stories that can be applied to the reason we celebrate the occasion.

admin answers:

I am omitting the stories of the crucifixion. The appearances of the resurrection Christ, I assume, are the stories you are looking for. You will find that the readings of Matt/Mark/Luke are very similar. John is more unique

The burial of Jesus
Matt 27:57-61
Mark 15:42-47
Luke 23:50-56
John 19:38-42

The Guard at the tomb
Matt 27:62-66

The Empty Tomb
Matt 28: 1- 10
Mark 16:1-8
Luke 24:1-11(12)
John 20:1-10
Appearances of the Risen Christ
Bribing of the soldiers
Matt 28:11-20
The command to baptize
Matt. 28:16-20

Appearance to Mary
John 20:19-23

The Road to Emmaus
Luke 24-13-35

Appearance of Christ in Jerusalem
Luke 24:36-49
John 20:19-13
Jesus and Thomas
John 20:24-29

Appearances at the Sea of Galilee
John 21: 1- 14
Jesus and Peter
John 21: 15-19
Jesus and the Other disciple
John 21: 20-24

The Ascension
Luke 24:50-53

The longer ending of Mark
Mark 16:9-20

Appearance to Saul/Paul and his conversion
Acts9:1-31

The stoning of Stephen: (steadfast in the faith.- he sees Christ at the right hand of God)
Acts 7:54-60

1 Corinthians 15:16 “For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.”

Acts 2:24″ But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”

Acts 2:32 “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.”

Mandy asks…

What are some bible stories involving jealousy, karma type energy, and unlikeable antagonists?

I’m writing a movie about Karma and I would like an example of stories about a person that refused to change his evil ways and was punished by unseen forces. The closer Bible stories or stories in general, or even movies about such type experience, I would be most grateful!

admin answers:

Genesis

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Your Questions About Sunday School Ideas For Youth

Friday, November 25th, 2011

Mark asks…

I need some ideas for decorating a youth Sunday school room. Ages 13-18. We can’t paint the walls! Please Help

We don’t have a large youth group. We avg. 10 on Sunday mornings. But we are having our 1st lock-in and want something they can all work together on and make thier own. Our youth would love to just paint the walls, but the church won’t allow it. So we want them to still put a little bit of themselves into thier room and look forward to having thier own space at church, where they can come and be themselves. But we are in a small growing church and space is a little limited! Please help, we need ideas!!!

admin answers:

How about doing self-portraits, get a roll of paper (brown or white) let them draw and paint, color, or use markers on them. Or they could each write a idea of what they could do to spread the word or help the community.

Thomas asks…

I was trying to find a video that showed how Elijah mentored Elisha for Sunday School youth 7-12th grade.ideas

admin answers:

If you can find one in your town, go to a religious book store and check them out, because they usually have videos
plus books on the subject.

George asks…

Youth Sunday School Lessons?

Is there any good websites that I can get good lessons from? Or do you have and good ideas for some youth lessons.

admin answers:

Um…At my church our Youth Group uses Life Focus (from lifeway).
Hope you find something!!

Lizzie asks…

What is a good sunday school lecture for the youth?

I’m just trying to grab some ideas, I am 19 and I want to teach them different things. Hmmm please take into account these variables: New Year, Great things are coming for our church, they are youth and something that will be positive. Please help this is serious for me.

admin answers:

THE IMPORTANTce of Keeping Christian “Virtues” In a World ALIENATED From tHE TRUE GOD Jehovah ! !

Paul asks…

Teen Sunday School Class?

I will soon be teaching a teen sunday school class at my church. I will also be helping the present youth leader with the everyother sunday night youth group. The youth group is starting to grow but as far as the sunday school, well it’s um dieing! There are only maybe 3 kids that attend regularly and 2 of those kids shouldn’t really be in there because they are in college and should be in the next class above the teen class! So I am trying to find something for me to teacher out of. The church will pay for whatever material I want.

Anyone have any ideas where to find good amaterial or something that worked with your teen/youth sunday school class?
the way my church does it, is the teacher picks out the material, what they think will work with their group! The Sunday school groups are grouped together in such a large age groups that you can’t use one type of material throughout the whole group..there are only 4 sunday school classes…elementary, teen, adult, and 60+. The elementary goes from 3 yrs – 12 year olds! So the teahcer just does her own think what she thinks she’s being called to teach about. She usually has little things for the little ones to do as the older ones are getting a older message. We’ve been doing alot of single book classes with the youth sunday school, where for a few months we just focus on one christian book. But I am just looking for new ideas! Don’t be stupid and try to tell me God will throw something out of the sky at me!
Also we have plenty of ideas for the youth group, I am just starting in with that and have a whole list of ideas for that. But I have been thrown into the sunday school teaching and need ideas for that!

admin answers:

YOu have a big task in front of you.

These printable bible games are hit or miss, but every once in a while may tie into what you are doing. What is nice is you can print as may as you need it and they are handy to have around.

Http://www.partygameideas.com/bible-games/printable_games.php

Plus use them for fun and not tests, not knowing the answer is always an opportunity to educate them on the answer. :)

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Your Questions About Kids Bible Lessons

Thursday, November 24th, 2011

Sandy asks…

Does anyone know a site where I can get free printable bible lessons and worksheets for kids?

I would like to have bible classes with my children and I need some resources. If anyone can help please do. thanks.

admin answers:

Http://www.dltk-bible.com/

Susan asks…

what r some good whys to get kids involved in a bible lesson?

ok im 16 and my job is to teach kid bible lessons but they think im boring they like me when im not teaching and love talking to me but when im teaching they think im boring i ask them lots of questions but it don’t work help
Please if u do not have any thing to say that would be helpful don’t say anything at all thank u

admin answers:

Maybe turn the bible lesson into some sort of fun learning game, i.e. Who wants to be a millionaire, jeopardy… Maybe even reward them with a prize for the correct answers.

(Some athiests are way off that it’s not even funny.)

Sandra asks…

any bible lessons for kids?

admin answers:

Check with your church and Sunday schools.

LC

Carol asks…

What are some good Bible lessons i can discuss on Mother’s Day Sunday?

Hey, my friends and I were chosen by our youth leaders to teach a bible lesson to the ‘young kid’ class aka ‘fire flies’ at my Orthodox Russian Church.

I was wondering what would be some good lessons from the bible we could discuss with them and teach them? Maybe some about the importance of family or mothers since it’s mother’s day?

admin answers:

You could start by explaining the origin of the holiday.
What is the origin of the practice of setting aside a day to honor mothers?
The Encyclopædia Britannica says: “A festival derived from the custom of mother worship in ancient Greece. Formal mother worship, with ceremonies to Cybele, or Rhea, the Great Mother of the Gods, were performed on the Ides of March throughout Asia Minor.”—(1959), Vol. 15, p. 849.
Then you could help them to understand the mother’s role in the family. In the family circle mother should be the foremost supporter and respecter of the father’s position, whether he is Christian or not. As perfect Eve was provided to be a suitable helper for Adam, so a wife’s proper role in the household is to promote, not impede, her husband’s discharge of his responsibilities. The mother who gives evidence of genuine respect for her husband is, in fact, aiding her children to appreciate the importance of complying with God’s arrangements in everything.—Eph. 5:33.
“It is the tasks connected with the home that are the fundamental tasks of humanity. . . . If the mother does not do her duty, there will either be no next generation, or a next generation that is worse than none at all.”—Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States.
CLEARLY, a mother is essential to human life, but her role involves far more than just bearing children. Regarding the role of mothers in most parts of the world today, one writer observed: “She is the primary protector for each child’s health, education, intellect, personality, character, and emotional stability.”
One of a mother’s many functions is that of educator of her children. A child’s first words and its pattern of speech are usually learned from its mother. Thus, a person’s first language is often referred to as his mother tongue. The mother generally spends more time with the children each day than her mate, so she may be their chief teacher as well as principal disciplinarian. Thus, the Mexican proverb “Education is breast-fed” honors the important role of mothers.
“When it comes to stimulating a child’s intelligence and curiosity, as well as developing his/her creativity, a mother’s role is vital.”—Regional Summit on Children’s Rights, Burkina Faso, 1997.
N the Christian congregation, wives and mothers are also honored and appreciated. Ephesians 5:25 says: “Husbands, continue loving your wives.” To the young man Timothy, whose mother and grandmother raised him to respect “the holy writings,” this inspired counsel was given: “Entreat . . . Older women as mothers.” (2 Timothy 3:15; 1 Timothy 5:1, 2) Thus, a man should have respect for an older woman as if she were his mother. Truly, God values women and accords them a dignified place.
Indeed, mothers who assume their responsibility as educators can feel proud of their role. It is a worthwhile career. They rightfully deserve commendation and heartfelt expressions of appreciation. We learn so much from mothers—habits that stand us in good stead throughout life, good manners so essential for good relationships, and in many cases a moral and spiritual upbringing that keeps youths on course.
Do you expressed your appreciation to your mother for what she has done for you every day, not just one day a year?

Donald asks…

When homeschooling your kids, do you teach all the math lessons straight from the Bible?

admin answers:

When my wife and I home-school our kids we show them how the bible is wrong compared to all the modern facts.

Don’t assume home-schooling is for Christians.

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Your Questions About Bible Study Lessons

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

Carol asks…

Where can you find children’s bible study lessons?

admin answers:

“My Book of Bible Stories” ages 1-5

“Listening to the Great Teacher” ages 5-10

“Questions Young People ask, Answers that work” ages 11-25.

Www.watchtower.org

Nancy asks…

Do you know where I can get a good bible study lessons?

I am wanting to do a good Bible study, perfer Assemblies of God.

admin answers:

Www.creflodollarministries.org

theres a bible study center somewhere in there in the left column i think. The online broadcasts are better than His studies, but He is fantastic. Much more powerful and word – based than AOG… But will certainly not offend. Very faith filled. Meat of the word, not milk. You will learn HEAPS. You will be blessed beyond measure.

God Bless you :-)

Michael asks…

Can you help me find bible study lessons that will relate to teenagers that also deal with true friendship?

admin answers:

~~try the links below~~

Susan asks…

Should college students be forced to take bible study lessons so that….?

…when they get their degrees, they don’t go into areas of science that contradict the bible?

admin answers:

Gee, let me think……..NO. I really hope that was just a sarcastic question and not real because if you actually meant it then you’re a little nuts.

Mandy asks…

Where can I go to Bible Study lessons?

I am a Baptist Christian and live in Woodland Hills, CA and would like to start learning….could anyone recommend a good church or anywhere else…Thank you

admin answers:

Lectio Divina (pronounced “Lec-tsee-oh Di-vee-nah”) means “Divine Reading” and refers specifically to a method of Scripture reading practiced by monastics since the beginning of the Church.

The early centrality of reading of Sacred Scripture, and then meditating and praying over its meaning, is evident in the 48th chapter of the Rule of St. Benedict (A.D. 480-453), a book written by the Great Saint to guide monastic life.

But it was an 11th c. Carthusian prior named Guigo 1 who formalized Lectio Divina, describing the method in a letter written to a fellow religious. This letter, which has become known as Scala Paradisi — the Stairway to Heaven — describes a 4-runged ladder to Heaven, each rung being one of the four steps in his method of Bible reading. Those steps, and Guigo’s brief descriptions of them, are:

lectio (reading): “looking on Holy Scripture with all one’s will and wit”

meditatio (meditation): “a studious insearching with the mind to know what was before concealed through desiring proper skill”

oratio (prayer): “a devout desiring of the heart to get what is good and avoid what is evil”

contemplatio (contemplation): “the lifting up of the heart to God tasting somewhat of the heavenly sweetness and savour”

Through the practice of Lectio Divina by monastics in group settings, three other steps are sometimes added to the four above such that the steps become:

statio (position)

lectio (reading)

meditatio (meditation)

oratio (prayer)

contemplatio (contemplation)

collatio (discussion)

actio (action)

The Steps in Detail
Statio
First, we arrange a place so it is restful, warm, and non-distracting. This may involve the lighting of candles, the burning of incense, the shutting of doors and drawing of curtains — whatever makes one feel calm and at peace. Then we assume a bodily posture that is conducive to prayer and reading. We breathe slowly, focusing on the Holy Name of Jesus and nothing else, until we are relaxed and able to focus our attention solely on Scripture. If our minds wander, we gently bring our attention back to the Holy Name of Our Lord, breathing in and out rhythmically. Note that, unlike in Eastern prayer which seeks to empty oneself to be open to some great “Nothing”, we are ever mindful of the One Almighty Triune and Transcendent God, and are trying to calm ourselves so that what He might reveal to us through His Word may more easily be perceived.

It is good if the place chosen for Lectio Divina is a comfortable area chosen just for this and other prayerful activities. The presence of relevant icons and other visual aids to meditation can be of great benefit. Now pray a prayer to the Holy Ghost, such as this one:

A Prayer Before the Reading of Any Part of the Holy Scripture

Come Holy Ghost, fill the hearts and minds of the faithful servants, and inflame them with the fire of Thy divine love.

Let us pray: O God, who by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, didst instruct the hearts of thy faithful servants; grant us in the same Spirit, to discern what is right, and enjoy His comfort forever, through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth, one God, with Thee and the same Spirit, world without end. Amen.

Lectio
When we are relaxed and in a contemplative mode, we trace the Sign of the Cross on the book of Scripture, kiss the Cross we traced, and then open it to read. Some may want to focus on Scripture from that day’s Propers. Others may want to read the Bible straight through, starting with Genesis. Others may want to focus only on the New Testament or the Psalms. We aren’t trying to “accomplish a goal” of reading X amount; we read what is easily digested at that time. Whichever selection we choose, we read it with our minds, slowly, gently, coming to an understanding of the words themselves.

Having a solid orthodox Catholic commentary (pre-Vatican II commentary with Imprimatur or the rare, well-chosen post-Vatican II commentary), a nice Concordance, etc., in order to get a good grasp of the meaning of the actual words — their historical cultural context, their etymologies, the Fathers’ thoughts on the relevant Scripture, etc. — is imperative. We should always approach Scripture with the mind of the Church, in the spirit of the Ethopian eunuch who asked Philip to guide him:

Acts 8:30-31
And Philip running thither, heard him reading the prophet Isaias. And he said: Thinkest thou that thou understandest what thou readest? Who said: And how can I, unless some man shew me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

We should always keep in mind Peter’s admonition that “no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20) and that Scripture can be difficult to understand, something “which the unlearned and unstable wrest…to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16).

If you come to a verse you don’t understand, or that you understand in a way that is contrary to Catholic teaching, seek traditional Catholic commentary on it. Any apparent contradiction between Scripture and Catholic teaching is just that: apparent, and not real. As an example, even a simple verse such as one that refers to Mary’s “firstborn” will be misunderstood if one is ignorant of Jewish law, as are many Protestants who believe that reference to a “firstborn” means there must be a “secondborn,” and who then go on to deny Mary’s virginity. Seek a Catholic commentary which would refer you, in this case, to the Old Testament law of the “firstborn” and will teach you what that word really means (see Exodus 13:2, Exodus 13:14-15, Numbers 18:15 and research the term “pidyon ha-ben”).

At any rate, in Lectio, we are reading for the literal sense of the words, trying to understand the reality the writer of the text intended to convey.

Meditatio
Now we meditate on what we have read, perhaps even reading it again, visualizing it and listening for the aspect of it that reveals the Divine Mysteries. We want the deeper, spiritual meanings of the words now, and read for its anagogocal (or “eschatalogical”) sense and its typical (or “allegorical”) sense — i.e., we consider types and anti-types, shadows and symbolism in order to understand the deeper reality the Holy Ghost intends to convey by arranging nature and history as He did, thereby inspiring the writer of the text to write as he did.

Oratio
We ask God to for the grace to be changed by what we have read, to come more fully into being what He wants us to be, and to help us apply the tropological (or “moral”) sense of the Scripture to our lives.

Contemplatio
We rest in gratitude for God and His Word.

Collatio
If we are engaging in Lectio Divina with others, we discuss what we’ve learned.

Actio
We live what we have learned.

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Your Questions About Stories For Children Online

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

Where can I find FREE children’s stories online that can be read to an expecting mother?

I was looking for a website that has a collection of short stories for babies/children that are accessible to be printed off its website, so that they are available to be read later. Thank you for your great answers!

admin answers:

This is the sweetest post! I take it you want to read to your baby! This site has lots of them. Http://www.ucalgary.ca/~dKBrown/stories.html
Go to Classics for young people
Then you can go to stories
Then scroll down and you will find a bunch of them. When you click on them the story comes up. Hope that helped. Congratulations you are going to be a really good dad.

Paul asks…

Where can I read Ruskin Bond’s stories for children online?

admin answers:

You Can On:

http://www.lovingyourchild.com/2010/05/short-kids-stories-ruskin-bond-childrens-omnibus/

Carol asks…

Simple book of Mormon stories for children online?

So, when I was introduced to the Bible I read a childrens’ Bible first, to get a real idea of what the stories were before looking at the details.

I can’t afford to buy a childrens’ book of Mormon (nor do I know if you can actually get one) but does anyone know any links online with basic BOM stories? Or (if someone has a lot of time on their hands) could anyone explain a few of them to me?

Emma Smith (and yes that is my real name, scarily enough… hence why I prefer to go by Amaya!)
xXx

admin answers:

To my knowledge there isn’t a Book of Mormon for kids, but there are some videos that have Book of Mormon stories.

Mary asks…

Where to find good children’s bedtime stories online?

I read to my little sister before bed, and we don’t have any bedtime stories. And yes, I know we should. But we don’t. So does anyone know where to find some online, looking for free? Good children site with all stories like, Cinderella and The Three Little Pigs, stories like that.

admin answers:

Totally Free! Here are two sources:

Project Gutenberg for printed word:

http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Category:Children%27s_Bookshelf

Librivox.org if you want free audio books

The general children’s category currently has 553 stories and poems to listen to for children
http://librivox.org/newcatalog/search.php?genre=Children

Jenny asks…

Where can I find excerpts from popular children’s stories online?

If anyone knows of any good websites/or could give links, then that would be great. Thank you for your help!

admin answers:

I had ( in my last browser) a lot of links for such stories, so I will try to retrieve it or waiting for the answer with you.

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