Comments on: N.T. Wright for Children?

By: lynn

lynn — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:40:16 +0000

Wee update from me: I have written a book, which, while not yet NT Wright for children (my next project perhaps!) goes some way to lay out many of the things the comments here have raised.

It's to be published by Destiny Image in June 2012 and the working title is "Children and Families – Drawing the Generations Together to Change the World"….covering children's spirituality, faith development, nurture and evangelism, discipleship within faith communities, biblical world view, dealing with unhelpful attitudes, changing the shape of church to allow our young people and families who are brand new to faith to feel part of something and to develop and grow.

Full details of how to order this by end May on http://www.lynnalexander.org.uk (website not live yet)

By: Molly

Molly — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 19:58:54 +0000

I googled "nt wright for preschoolers" kinda laughing at myself… And I found this post. I don't know if you'll read this, but I'm encouraged nonetheless. I too wish for this… Any new findings that anyone could share?

By: Jared

Jared — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 14:50:35 +0000

I agree with the core perspective here… great post!!

But, Wright's book on Heaven is not actually his core contribution…

Here's an interesting observation: for all the discussion of and praise for N. T. Wright (which I welcome!), it is amazing that the words and the entire concepts of Abraham, Israel, covenant, exile, Messiah, and Torah are completely absent from the original post and the whole string of comments. It's not just the platonic view of the afterlife or the private and me-centered view of salvation that Wright is dismanteling through his writings.

Wright is drawing us back to the covenant-centered drama that is THE story of Scripture. That too needs to be thoroughly reworked into our way of teaching the Bible to Children. Remember that the entire OT is about THAT; plus Jesus is speaking as a Jew to Jews in the context of Messianic expectations; Peter is preaching in Acts to Jews; Paul is arguing against Judiazers in many letters and presents Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel's expectations; and the great epic letter of Romans centers heavily on the puzzling role of Israel in the surprising turn the covenant drama has now taken…

We need to learn how to re-incorporate that core element of Scripture into our teaching of children–WITHOUT letting that slip into covertly talking about the political issues surrounding the modern state of Israel.

By: Finding My Grace Space

Finding My Grace Space — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:19:37 +0000

I think your blog needs some updating. I would love to read more about this topic.

By: Russell Roberts

Russell Roberts — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:28:37 +0000

Now that's what I'm talking about. N.T. Wright for Children. Awesome idea.

By: Bible Churcher

Bible Churcher — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:50:15 +0000

What is sad is that so many in the "emergent church" are acting as if a new truth is being discovered through the reading of NT Wright.

We have gotten so swayed by Reformed Lordship views, Baptist individualism, outright liberalism, counterbalanced by touchy-feely heretical jibberish from people like Rob Bell, that we seem to not even recognize that the Christian life is about one thing:

The Believer's Position in Christ. If you can grasp that, you will understand grace. If you understand grace, you will live as you ought. If you live as you ought, your character will be transformed into the identity he has predestined for you. When he transforms you, your life will be lived out of love for him, and you will do your part in carrying out the Great Commission.

These Postmodern parents think the faith needs to be re-invented. Too bad that so many of their gurus are doing nothing to dispel that notion. We don't need re-invention, only rediscovery. Make disciples, make disciples!

By: Lila Ferguson Buchanan

Lila Ferguson Buchanan — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:55:16 +0000

down through all that we have learned since we were ourselves in Sunday School. Just think of the wonderful advantage you are giving your children! To start them with the more correct (at least as we understand it now) interpretation of scripture, think what heights they can climb for the Kingdom.
We have begun to change a few words in the old hymns (i.e. substituting "Renew our home" for "take me home") and carefully choose newer worship songs, believing that even this small correction will filter through the spirit of the people.
As a parent of 4 grown children, three in full time ministry, andmany Foster Children, I believe that your prayer and conversation with your children will have more impact than any change in VBS or Kid's clubs will have. Just be yourself, let them see you "work out your salvation, in fear & trembling" as a good role model and they will learn. Trust Jesus to speak to their much more open hearts with His understanding and you will find them much more insightful than you can know. It is a joy now, to have long distance conversations to discover that God is showing them the same things He is showing me through different people and avenues of learning.
Be encourged!

By: Lila Ferguson Buchanan

Lila Ferguson Buchanan — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:47:48 +0000

Julie,
Thank you for expressing so well what we, a small fellowship group, have been struggling with for some time now. It was best expresses by a friend who said, with a big sigh, "So, now what do I do?"
It takes time for the new understandings being revealed to us by people like Bishop Tom, Rikk Watts, C. Baxter Kruger and the like to filter

By: Ang from Down Under

Ang from Down Under — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 04:32:35 +0000

Julie, I realise I am replying almost a year after you wrote this blog, but I must tell you of children's material available that is excellent, extremeley humorous, professional and spot-on THEOLOGY !!

"Colin Buchanan" – he is an Australian singer-songwriter, doing a massive Children's ministry as well as country music. Get hold of his CDs and DVDs and enjoy, and praise God He created Colin Buchanan for our kids!!

In his 'King of Christmas' DVD he impersonates CSI Miami – trying to discover the true meaning of Christmas. He has a great 'Countdown' song in "10, 9, 8…God is Great, and great impersonation of our Steve Irwin (RIP) Crocodile Hunter.

All his 'enhanced' CDs include lyrics, music sheets, overhead projector sheets and colouring-in books. Extra bonus.

Even better yet – is to see him perform. Totally Awesome !!

By: lynn

lynn — Thu, 15 May 2008 09:58:42 +0000

Hi
I have discovered this blog post kinda months after the event but I felt I had to comment.
I have discovered a glorious freedom in my work with children; a freedom from the controversy of teaching on death and hell and firey flames by observing, recognising and nurturing faith in the youngest children, out the deeply held conviction that children start with God. He knows them! He loves them! He blesses them. Doesn't mean they don't sin, but it means we teach them to keep loving Jesus and saying yes to him, working in partnership with parents to support them in their primary role of spiritual discipleship.
Contemporary writings on the stages of faith development abound – I would personally start with Ivy Beckwith's Postmodern Children's Ministry book or J D Westerhoff's book "Will Our Children Find Faith".
I've put two short summaries of current thinking on my blog, if you're more interested. http://helpiworkwithchildren.blogspot.com/2007/03/status-of-children-before-god-part-1.html and http://helpiworkwithchildren.blogspot.com/2007/04/status-of-children-before-god-part-2.html
Thanks for all the thoughts and recommendations!