Why read the actual scriptures to little children? I like to teach children scripture stories right out of the scriptures, not paraphrased but in the rich language and imagery of the scriptures. I am somewhat, old school and feel that Primary aged children should have their own copy of scriptures, even before they can read. Yes, even Sunbeams! This used to be mentioned in the Primary manuals! I also feel that they can learn to mark passages for easy locating and memorize verses as young as three. Here you will find lists of many stories found in the scriptures. There are more there, to be sure, but here are enough to use each school day. The Highlights of the Old Testament, Highlights of the New Testament, and Highlights of the Book of Mormon (Part 1) lists were compiled by Penny Garner and is available here, compliments of Penny Gardner. Highlights of the Book of Mormon (Part 2) and Highlights of the Doctrine and Covenants were compiled for Moor House. There are enough stories listed here to have a story each day of the school year!"
One might ask why the doctrines and principles of the gospel are scattered through some 2,500 pages of scripture instead of systematically arranged by topic in a more concise text. To the human mind, such a text would seem to provide for a far greater economy of space and study, as well as added clarity. In His wisdom, however, the Lord has chosen to reveal His eternal truths through the interesting and memorable historical and personal accounts of the writers of the scriptures. This method of teaching powerfully presents and preserves the doctrines and principles of the gospel in the following ways..."
Elder Merlin R. Lybbert "The Powerful Potential of Scripture Stories," Ensign, Jan 2002. I encourage you to read the whole article on LDS.org to learn more about this powerful way of teaching! "Children Enjoy the Bible.––We are apt to believe that children cannot be interested in the Bible unless its pages be watered down––turned into the slipshod English we prefer to offer them." Charlotte Mason.
I agree, when it comes to scripture study, children do well with studying the real stories. They do not need to have Bible stories handed to them watered down. Little children can be read to and older ones can begin reading the scriptures with the stories.
Click the links below for the Highlights from the Scriptures:
The King James bible is written at the 12th grade reading level. However, if you use the stories with young children it can build a basic knowledge of history, geography, understanding and vocabulary while building character and learning Gospel principles. The King James Bible translation is just over 400 years old.
ReplyDeleteThe Book of Mormon is written at the 8th grade level and is excellent as a reader. 85% of the words are phonetic, 10% have high enough repetition to learn through repetition. Only 5% need to be memorized because they are not seen regularly. There is a pronunciation guide in the back. These are higher percentages than the Bible which has been used by parents for centuries to teach children to read.
I like to use both to teach children to read. While the Book of Mormon is easier to use to teach reading at the beginning, I feel children need the rich language of the Bible. Further, I feel they need biblical principles, stories, history, geography, and basic biblical literacy.
More important that learning to read is to have the principles in their heart and to have the scriptures as their sacred canon, their measuring rod of truth, right, and goodness.
Do you have a list for highlights of D&C already compiled, but simply not yet posted? I would love to see it if you have it! I see it says "coming soon!", but it has, after all, been coming soon for nearly two years! :)
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