Biblical Literacy: ideas?

[MaxPC]

What does your fellowship and family do to promote Biblical literacy among the younger generation and converts?

[Neto]

I don't really know, but good question. The only thing I can think of that the congregation itself does is through Sunday School & DVBS during that one week in the summer.

All of our children are adults (and over 30), so I'll answer that part in terms of what we did when they were young. We read lots of books to them, including Bible story books. But as far as a 'formal' type of effort, we didn't have one. We (my wife & I) often talked about Scripture passages just in the course of any day, and as the children grew older they began to participate. I did sometimes feel "guilty" for not having a "Evening Devotions" time, but in retrospect, I think that what we did (without thinking about it, really) was like the Scripture's instruction to "talk about them when you rise and when you sleep, etc." (Sorry, I don't recall the exact wording.) Since it was not a "programmed" deal, it became a natural thing for them. Eventually the children began bringing up Bible topics on their own - we didn't need to initiate that. I suppose I still feel some sense having failed in the devotions area, so maybe in a sense I'm attempting to justify myself here. I reckon doing BOTH would have been better yet.

[MaxPC]

I don't really know, but good question. The only thing I can think of that the congregation itself does is through Sunday School & DVBS during that one week in the summer.

All of our children are adults (and over 30), so I'll answer that part in terms of what we did when they were young. We read lots of books to them, including Bible story books. But as far as a 'formal' type of effort, we didn't have one. We (my wife & I) often talked about Scripture passages just in the course of any day, and as the children grew older they began to participate. I did sometimes feel "guilty" for not having a "Evening Devotions" time, but in retrospect, I think that what we did (without thinking about it, really) was like the Scripture's instruction to "talk about them when you rise and when you sleep, etc." (Sorry, I don't recall the exact wording.) Since it was not a "programmed" deal, it became a natural thing for them. Eventually the children began bringing up Bible topics on their own - we didn't need to initiate that. I suppose I still feel some sense having failed in the devotions area, so maybe in a sense I'm attempting to justify myself here. I reckon doing BOTH would have been better yet.

Thank you, Neto. You demonstrate well the power of parental example. Do you think there are parents who need to be taught how to set an example for Bible literacy and immersion?

[Neto]

I don't really know, but good question. The only thing I can think of that the congregation itself does is through Sunday School & DVBS during that one week in the summer.

All of our children are adults (and over 30), so I'll answer that part in terms of what we did when they were young. We read lots of books to them, including Bible story books. But as far as a 'formal' type of effort, we didn't have one. We (my wife & I) often talked about Scripture passages just in the course of any day, and as the children grew older they began to participate. I did sometimes feel "guilty" for not having a "Evening Devotions" time, but in retrospect, I think that what we did (without thinking about it, really) was like the Scripture's instruction to "talk about them when you rise and when you sleep, etc." (Sorry, I don't recall the exact wording.) Since it was not a "programmed" deal, it became a natural thing for them. Eventually the children began bringing up Bible topics on their own - we didn't need to initiate that. I suppose I still feel some sense having failed in the devotions area, so maybe in a sense I'm attempting to justify myself here. I reckon doing BOTH would have been better yet.

Thank you, Neto. You demonstrate well the power of parental example. Do you think there are parents who need to be taught how to set an example for Bible literacy and immersion?

I think that we can all benefit from more teaching and direction is this area. For us, the fact that we were doing Bible translation is, more than any thing else, what brought it about. (That is, it was not 'intentional" in the normal sense of the word, or in respect to what is taught about this.)

[QuietlyListening]

A big thing that was instrumental in our 3 having a good knowledge of the Bible occurred after we became part of a home church. We were concerned about our children having some sort of youth group but didn't want it to be a social thing and we had few young people in our fellowship. A couple in our fellowship took it up on themselves to host a bible study and that is what they did- studied the Bible weekly and it became a group of about 8-10 young people from other churches, home churches and they went thru the entire bible more than once and it was truly in depth bible study. We were just blessed to have this offered.

[MaxPC]

A big thing that was instrumental in our 3 having a good knowledge of the Bible occurred after we became part of a home church. We were concerned about our children having some sort of youth group but didn't want it to be a social thing and we had few young people in our fellowship. A couple in our fellowship took it up on themselves to host a bible study and that is what they did- studied the Bible weekly and it became a group of about 8-10 young people from other churches, home churches and they went thru the entire bible more than once and it was truly in depth bible study. We were just blessed to have this offered.

Neto and QL, you both are blessed to have that support. Do you have ideas for creating similar support for parents in other fellowships?

[JayP]

Why do ask Max? Doesn’t your “fellowship” already have such programs such as schools and CCD programs?

[MaxPC]

TOPIC FOR THE THREAD

What does your fellowship and family do to promote Biblical literacy among the younger generation and converts?

Thank you to those who are sincerely and seriously responding to the thread topic. Your answers are much appreciated.
All other comments are to be taken elsewhere.

[MaxPC]

A big thing that was instrumental in our 3 having a good knowledge of the Bible occurred after we became part of a home church. We were concerned about our children having some sort of youth group but didn't want it to be a social thing and we had few young people in our fellowship. A couple in our fellowship took it up on themselves to host a bible study and that is what they did- studied the Bible weekly and it became a group of about 8-10 young people from other churches, home churches and they went thru the entire bible more than once and it was truly in depth bible study. We were just blessed to have this offered.

Neto and QL, you both are blessed to have that support. Do you have ideas for creating similar support for parents in other fellowships?

Adjacent to this topic: are there classes in your fellowship for young parents to develop good habits in Biblical literacy? Or is it more of a mentorship situation in which older members walk with young parents in learning to set an example for their children?

[Heirbyadoption]

A big thing that was instrumental in our 3 having a good knowledge of the Bible occurred after we became part of a home church. We were concerned about our children having some sort of youth group but didn't want it to be a social thing and we had few young people in our fellowship. A couple in our fellowship took it up on themselves to host a bible study and that is what they did- studied the Bible weekly and it became a group of about 8-10 young people from other churches, home churches and they went thru the entire bible more than once and it was truly in depth bible study. We were just blessed to have this offered.

Neto and QL, you both are blessed to have that support. Do you have ideas for creating similar support for parents in other fellowships?

Adjacent to this topic: are there classes in your fellowship for young parents to develop good habits in Biblical literacy? Or is it more of a mentorship situation in which older members walk with young parents in learning to set an example for their children?

Max, I was considering reply to the OP, but I wonder if you could clarify what you mean by "Biblical Literacy" first? I'm not sure I understand what specifically you are referring to. Intellectual knowledge of Scriptural, or beliefs/practices for daily life based on those Scriptures, or something else specific...? Thanks.

And regardless his motive, Jay's question does seem relevant to me. Are the things he asked about you having in RCC world the sorts of things you are wondering about among Anabaptist folk?