Bible Story Hour is a year long Bible program originally begun by a group of mothers from the Ancaster Canadian Reformed church and written by Tessa Malda. The program is designed to familiarize young children (ages 3-6) with characters in the Old Testament, major lessons of the New Testament and a selection of much loved Psalms in a thematic way through songs, stories and crafts.
This program will provide a structured, peaceful and productive environment for those children who may otherwise be in a toddler nursery during the afternoon service. We believe that this program also will help children to transition more easily into regular church attendance with their families by teaching them to associate church with a quiet time to learn about God, as opposed to noisy play time.
We do not desire to draw any small children out of the regular worship service. On the contrary, we hope to transition them in more easily. We assist the parents in teaching our small children that church is about worshipping God and reinforcing those skills that will allow them to participate in the church service (sitting still and listening to the Bible; saying the Lord's prayer; singing popular songs and hymns, etc). At the same time, we hope to allow those parents of restless preschoolers, who may otherwise have stayed home with them, the opportunity to attend a second service, knowing that their little one will be busy and happy.
This program is designed to teach the children of believers who are also being taught by their parents to love God, and to know the history of salvation as revealed in the Bible. The lessons are not designed for evangelism - and so are well suited for use at any Bible Study sessions aimed at "covenant" preschoolers.
The program includes 20 Old Testament lessons, 20 New Testament lessons, 2 Christmas lessons, 1 Easter lesson and 12 lessons on the Psalms. Some lessons contain multiple parts (designated by a, b, c, etc) and you can choose to do only one, or do all the parts, or do a different part each year. Each lesson is designed simply with minimal supplies and a short preparation time.
Story Hour Bible ProgramUnit 1 - Old Testament
God works among his covenant people to prepare the world for the Savior.
Hebrews 12:1&2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us… look to Jesus.”
Adam and Eve (2 parts)
Noah
Abraham
Isaac
Jacob and Esau
Joseph
Moses (4 parts)
Israel in the Desert (3 parts)
Joshua
Gideon
Samson
Ruth
Samuel
David (2 parts)
Solomon
Elijah (2 parts)
Daniel (2 parts)
Esther
Jonah
Micah
Unit 2 – New Testament
God sends his greatest gift, Jesus Christ our Savior.
John 1:14 “we beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father”
Jesus is Born
Jesus as a child
John the Baptist
The disciples
Miracle in Cana
Jesus the healer
Jesus the Teacher (2 parts)
Jesus and the Storms (2 parts)
The Parable of the Sower
Bread and Fish for Everyone
The parable of the good neighbor
The parable of the two sons
Palm Sunday
The Last Supper
Jesus Dies for our Sins
Christ has Risen
Ascension
Pentacost
The Apostles (3 parts)
John and Revelations
Unit 3 - The Psalms
Theme: Celebrating our Joy in the Lord
12 lessons on Psalms1, 8, 23, 42, 47, 81, 100, 116, 119, 121, 136 and 150
This blog is designed to provide access to the lessons for those moms who are running the program, as well as to allow us to share suggestions for what works, craft hints, photos of finished crafts and offer support to one another as we teach God's little ones.
Thanks so much for all the interest in this program!
In Ontario, our program is currently running in:Ancaster Wednesday morning Women's Bible Study
Provindence church Sunday afternoon service
Trinity Church of Glanbrook Sunday afternoon service
Flamborough church sunday afternoon service
Cornerstone church in Hamilton sunday afternoon service
Jubilee church in Ottawa monthly women's Bible Study
Elsewhere, our program is running in:Sunday afternoon service in 2 churches in BC
and one in Manitoba
