Thursday, April 18, 2013

Our Little Preacher

All three of our children are avid readers, but reading the Bible for pleasure has not ever been on their 8 year old radar. Like many adults, they prefer books about the Bible that break it down, illustrate it, cull through to the 'main stories,' highlight the takeaway points and make Scripture easier to read.

To encourage them to read actual Scripture, my Mother-in-law, Carol, offered to pay our trio $5 for each book of the Bible they read. As I mentioned in my recent post about allowances, neither K nor P are particularly motivated by money. But R is a completely different story. He has earned $25 to spend at the school book fair in the last 48 hours.

To make sure they are reading for comprehension not just for the monetary reward, I added another requirement--a brief video synopsis I can send to Carol.

I cannot tell you how it has blessed my heart to see R so eager to sit in the kitchen each morning and read the Word--but his video reports have been the real treat. I shoot them on my phone in one take with no coaching or rehearsal..so there is plenty of stumbling and rabbit trails, but, oh, the sweetness!

Here's yesterday morning's report on Jude. (Because like any good little capitalist, he is reading the shortest books first. :)


His exegesis is far from perfect, but not bad for an 8 year old on the fly.

And I am not the only one enjoying them. A friend of mine teased she is now using them as her quiet time. :)

12 comments:

His Doorkeeper said...

I've been reading your blog since your three were really small and I am just delighted to actually hear R's voice! He is just delightful with his childlike comprehension of what he has read! God bless his digging into His word even if it is for capital gain at this point!! God's Word never ceases to renew the mind and strengthen the soul!
Blessings!

Kodi said...

I've been reading your blog for a long time & I rarely comment. This was just the best thing ever. I pray my children will have a heart for God's word that I'm only just now finding as an adult. Thanks for sharing!

Love Being A Nonny said...

What a wonderful idea! What depth for an eight year old.....I know you are so proud! * hide God's word in their hearts!*

Carri said...

He did so good!!! Way to go, R!! I LOVE this!!

Pam said...

Great job, R! God's Word never returns void. He promises us that in Isaiah 55. Praying for His truth to continue to take root and grow in the heart of this child as well as your other two. Thanks for sharing, JMom.

Melissa C. said...

That is just the sweetest thing ever. Does good things for me today, with all the bad news going on in America right now, this blessed me today. Thank you!

Deidre said...

Bless his sweet heart! That is precious. Whether it's for money or not, he's receiving a bigger payoff and doesn't even know it. I love it!

Courtney DeFeo at Lil Light O' Mine said...

i love him. plain and simple. outstanding!

The Williams Brothers said...

He is PRECIOUS!!! Oh my goodness, that voice and those big eyes and dimples. Impressive comprehension, too.

psm260 said...

Wow! I'm so impressed!

Jill said...

I love his sweet (and husky) boy voice and..."metaphor" and "regret". Precious lesson, R!

Donna Cook said...

Jennifer,
I am so touched by little Ryland's commentary on Jude.
He is so earnest and clear in his comments. I used to
teach 8 year olds, and I know they are capable of this kind of understanding of God...but Ryland wins the prize for communicating well what he has internalized.
What a blessing this little video is for anyone who takes
the time to listen to it!
Love to All,
Donna Cook
CooksInGA@gmail.com