THE MOTHER'S PART--HOW CAN I USE THE BIBLE STORY WITH MY CHILD?
This is the most important part of the work, because it helps you to understand and use all the rest, and answers your questions in regard to the religious life of your child. These suggestions are largely for the use of "The Golden Book."
1. What Do I Have to Know in Order to Make the Best Use of THE BIBLE STORY with My Child?
You must know three things:--
That a child will not appreciate and use this work at first unless you appreciate and use it too.
That in order to appreciate and use it, you do not need to read all five volumes through at once. You may begin with any one of the suggestions here given, that pleases and interests you most, and use only what little time you may have. Little by little interest will grow and the child will be finding keen enjoyment in acquiring Bible knowledge for himself.
That even though you had time for immediate and thorough reading, the work is of such proportion that its worth cannot be grasped at once. It is by constant daily use in the home that the beauty and effectiveness of THE BIBLE STORY are revealed and the Bible made an "open book" to many a child as well as adult.
2. How Can I Encourage My Child to Memorize Bible Verses?
This is not difficult. Childhood is the time when verbal memory is most acute. The best way to encourage the memorizing of verses is [{16}] to make a game out of it instead of a task. Do this by using the Bible alphabet in "The Golden Book" (page [25 G.B.]) and thus linking up the Bible with something familiar. Teach a verse each week and ask for daily repetition of it. After several are learned, a drill on the verses is suggested as a spur to memory. Ask what verse in the Bible begins with A? B? C? etc. For the older children there are memory verses given, one for each week in the year, in the back of each of the first four volumes. Let the child himself, so far as he can, arrange these in alphabetical order.
Memorizing is much quickened by making as many natural connections as possible, the known with the unknown. Many hymns are readily recalled by associating them with Psalms of which they are explanations. Children like to learn poetry. Give them the poems suggested below as well as the accompanying Bible passages to learn. Go over them first and let the children understand the parallelism.
| Psalm 23 ( [35 S.A.]) | Hymns ([309 G.B.], [291 G.B.]) |
| Psalm 117 ([139 S.A.]) | Hymn ([494 S.A.]) |
| Psalm 19 ( [30 S.A.]) | Hymn ([434 G.B.]) |
| The Birth of Jesus ([37 L.J.]) | Hymns ([405 G.B.], [409 G.B.]) |
These hymns are well worth memorizing, for they are among the best in our language and knowing them will be an added inducement to memorizing the Bible verses that tell the same story.
3. How Can I Help My Child to Understand God's Relation to the World?
Begin with familiar things.--This is very easily done when the child's thoughts of God are related to his knowledge of the things of home. You will find a splendid treatment of these relationships in the primer pages in "The Golden Book" (27-68). Give these lessons to a child who is learning to read. He will like them because the pages look just like his school book and he will be helped in his reading at the same time that he is learning truths which explain the Bible verse given at the bottom of each page. There is no better way of helping a young child to understand love for God, faith in God, the presence of God, and other great truths that are usually given in the abstract.
(The questions at the end of this chapter will be helpful in getting the child to express himself.)
4. How Can I Know the Best Bible Stories to Tell to Children?
Remember two things: that, as children develop, different types of stories appeal to them, and that every one of these types is found in THE BIBLE STORY. It is a fact that, while the Bible is a universal story book, many of its best lessons cannot be put in story form and are therefore left out of any collection of Bible stories. Consequently the child is missing much that he might profitably have. THE BIBLE STORY meets a great need of the times by bringing to children all the lessons of the Bible, some by means of simple treatments of interesting things and some by means of longer stories of its heroes and heroines.
Simple Good-Night Talks for Little Tots
The following paragraphs in "The Golden Book" contain the sweetest, most constructive lessons to be found in the whole Bible and are beautiful good-night talks for very young children. The questions at the end of this chapter are listed according to pages in "The Golden Book" and will help in getting the child to repeat the story.
| God Sees Me. | [81 G.B.] |
| What Does God Want Me to Do? | [82 G.B.] |
| What God Gives. | [85 G.B.] |
| Jesus and His Friends. | [86 G.B.] |
| Jesus Had no Home. | [89 G.B.] |
| The People Loved Jesus. | [93 G.B.] |
| The Boyhood of Jesus | [97 G.B.] |
| Jesus and Sick People. | [98 G.B.] |
| Talking with Our Father. | [101 G.B.] |
| God is Our Father. | [105 G.B.] |
| What Jesus Said about Birds and Flowers. | [106 G.B.] |
| What Jesus Said about Trees. | [109 G.B.] |
It will be helpful to the mother who is constantly appealed to by her children for special kinds of stories to know where to find them in THE BIBLE STORY.
Stories about Other Children
Children are fond of listening to stories about other children like themselves. THE BIBLE STORY contains many such.
| Jesus and the Little Girl. | [110 G.B.] |
| The Baby Hid in a Basket. | [117 G.B.] |
| The Boy Who Came when He was Called. | [132 G.B.] |
| The Boy Who was Raised from the Dead. | [193 G.B.] |
| The Little Captive Maid. | [205 G.B.] |
Hero Stories
The favorites of all children beyond the first year or two of school are the stories of great heroes. A large part of "The Golden Book" is given up to stories of Bible heroes, and the following volume is made up of the lives of these same heroes in the words of the Bible text and is consequently more difficult. The beauty of this arrangement is that after reading the easy story in "The Golden Book" a child will want to read more, and as soon as he is able will enjoy going further with his great heroes in the volumes that contain the Bible text. He will understand seemingly difficult passages in the succeeding volumes of the set because of the substantial background formed by the simple treatments in "The Golden Book." The list of simple hero stories is here given together with the corresponding stories in the Bible text in other volumes.
| The Shepherd Boy Who Killed a Giant. | [139 G.B.] |
| David and Goliath. | [386 H.T.] |
| David and King Saul. | [151 G.B.] |
| David an Outlaw. | [406 H.T.] |
| David and Jonathan. | [156 G.B.] |
| The Jealousy of Saul. | [396 H.T.] |
| David and His Three Brave Soldiers. | [163 G.B.] |
| A Knightly Deed. | [438 H.T.] |
| David and His Son Absalom. | [167 G.B.] |
| The Rebellion of Absalom. | [443 H.T.] |
| The Story of a Good King. | [170 G.B.] |
| Solomon's Temple. | [461 H.T.] |
| Joseph and His Brethren. | [177 G.B.] |
| Joseph. | [91 H.T.] |
In the same way you may read the Bedtime Stories, beginning on page 245 of "The Golden Book," and then go naturally to the same stories in the Bible text itself as told in the volume "The Life of Jesus."
| The Story of the First Christmas. | [245 G.B.] |
| Nativity. | [37 L.J.] |
| The Story of Palm Sunday. | [251 G.B.] |
| The Entry into Jerusalem. | [233 L.J.] |
| How Jesus Gave His Life for the World. | [257 G.B.] |
| The Crucifixion. | [281 L.J.] |
| The Story of the First Easter Sunday. | [265 G.B.] |
| The Resurrection. | [297 L.J.] |
| [{19}] | |
| Who was the Neighbor? | [279 G.B.] |
| The Good Samaritan. | [88 L.J.] |
| The Good Shepherd. | [282 G.B.] |
| The Good Shepherd and the Sheep. | [200 L.J.] |
5. How Can I Get My Child to Read the Bible?
In no better way than that suggested in the two foregoing paragraphs. Begin at once with the simpler parts of "The Golden Book," proceed gradually, awakening new interest, daily if possible, by means of the Questions [(page 26)] and Things to Do [(page 20)]. It will take a little time and much thought, but it is the great privilege of the mother to watch for the opportunity and lead the child by means of "The Golden Book" into the treasure house of the Bible, which, despite its wonderful interest and character-building values, has up to this time presented almost a closed door to children. As soon as the child has passed out of "The Golden Book" and found an interest in the other volumes make use of the suggestions and questions in the next chapter for the "Hero Age," and hold the interest once gained.
Very early in life little children begin to ask about Christmas, Palm Sunday, and Easter. Why not seize this opportunity and give them answers to their questions from the Bible?
6. How Can I Help My Child to Understand Life in Bible Times?
By "Seeing Palestine with THE BIBLE STORY."
Read these Stories:--
| How the People Traveled in the Lands of the Bible | [208 G.B.] |
| Houses in the Lands of the Bible. | [214 G.B.] |
| Children in the Lands of the Bible. | [217 G.B.] |
| Jerusalem. | [218 G.B.] |
| The Jordan. | [224 G.B.] |
| The Dead Sea. | [226 G.B.] |
| Bethlehem. | [229 G.B.] |
| Palestine in the Days of the Lord Jesus. | [17 L.J.] |
Answer these questions:--
(Be sure to read the story on the back of each picture.)
| What do you know about plowing in Palestine? | [50 G.B.], [84 G.B.] |
| How do they thresh in the lands of the Bible? | [128 G.B.], [274 G.B.], [440 H.T.] |
| What is the town of Nazareth like to-day? | [88 G.B.], [100 G.B.] |
| How do they draw water in old Philistia? | [142 G.B.] |
| What do you know about an Eastern shepherd and his sheep? | [146 G.B.], [210 G.B.], [284 G.B.], [308 G.B.] |
| Who said, "I am the good shepherd"? | [288 G.B.] |
| Tell about winnowing in Bible lands. | [158 G.B.], [162 G.B.] |
| Look at the pictures on pages [294 G.B.], [298 G.B.], [302 G.B.], [312 G.B.], [368 G.B.], [374 G.B.], then tell what Jesus said about animals. | [304 G.B.] |
| What were some of the streets like in ancient Palestine? | [356 T.J.], [278 L.J.], [300 S.A.] |
| Name the lake on which Jesus so often sailed with his disciples. | [108 G.B.], [462 T.J.] |
| Why were the disciples so often to be found on the lake? | [146 L.J.] |
| Tell two stories about Jesus and the Lake of Galilee. | [94 L.J.], [307 L.J.] |
| How did the people fish in Palestine? | [487 L.J.] |
| Why is it necessary in Palestine to separate the tares from the wheat before harvest? | [22 L.J.] |
| What did the army of the Midianites look like when they came to fight the children of Israel? | [318 H.T.], [322 H.T.] |
| Read the story. | [319 H.T.] |
| How and by whom is meal ground in Palestine? | [176 S.A.] |
| The extent of Solomon's kingdom was from "Dan to Beersheba"; find northern and southern points | [14 T.J.] |
7. How Can I Get My Child to Use THE BIBLE STORY for Himself?
By giving him some Things to Do. It is a splendid plan to take advantage of the child's natural eagerness to look at the pictures in THE BIBLE STORY, so as to make that desire of real educational value. The following are delightful for a child to do:--
Study closely the pictures on pages [176 G.B.], [196 G.B.], [204 G.B.], and [254 G.B.] of "The Golden Book," read the interesting notes on the back of each picture, and the story on page [208 G.B.] of "The Golden Book." Then tell the difference between traveling in Bible lands and in our land.
Look at the pictures of Bethlehem on pages [138 G.B.] and [248 G.B.] of "The Golden Book" and page [28 L.J.] and read the story on the back of each. Then tell how David's home and life were different from yours. Read the story on page [229 G.B.] and see what wonderful things happened in this little town.
Read the story on page [214 G.B.] and look at the pictures on pages [88 G.B.], [92 G.B.], [188 G.B.], of "The Golden Book" and [192 T.J.], then compare a house in the Holy Land with your house.
Read the story on page [217 G.B.] of "The Golden Book" and look at the pictures opposite and on page [172 G.B.] of "The Golden Book." Then tell or write what you think are the pleasant things about living in Bible lands. Look at the picture on page [236 G.B.] and tell why it was good to live there in the year 33 A.D.
In your sand pile build a tiny city of Jerusalem. You will know just how to make it after you have read the story on page [218 G.B.] of "The Golden Book." Put it on a hill with valleys on three sides of it. Use stones to build the wall. (See page [216 T.J.]) Put a large white stone where you think the temple stood. The picture on page [480 H.T.] in "Hero Tales" will show you how the city really looked. After you have built the city and neighboring hills and valleys as well as you can, show them to your mother and father and explain all the interesting features. Tell about the path on the wall and its use; tell why the city was built on a hill; tell about the gates in the wall. (See page [215 T.J.]) Explain who built the temple and tell anything else you may know about the greatest city of the Bible lands.
In the back of the volume, "The Songs of the Ages," you will find an [index of illustrations] and can easily turn to all the pictures of Jerusalem in these volumes and learn some interesting things.
8. How Can I Interest My Child in the Great Works of Art in THE BIBLE STORY?
The interest of children in works of art, if unguided, usually lasts only for a moment. Let some one, however, begin to talk about the picture and the child fixes eager eyes upon it and follows every word with breathless attention. "Talking about a picture is simply letting a picture talk," and many of these pictures are volumes in themselves which one must read carefully to know all they are meant to tell. The following paragraphs furnish questions and suggest lines of study which will often open the door of the child's mind to artistic appreciation.
Talking about Pictures
| What painter of Madonnas was called the "peasant painter of Spain"? | [30 G.B.] | |
| There are four Madonnas by this artist in "The Golden Book" | [30 G.B.], [348 G.B.], [436 G.B.], [450 G.B.] | |
Which two most resemble each other? | ||
How do even these two differ? | ||
Which is thought to be the most beautiful of all? | ||
Which is your favorite? Why? | ||
Find the one painted without the child. | ||
Did you notice two little seraphs that are in almost the same position on pages [436 G.B.] and [450 G.B.]? | ||
In which of the pictures do you think the painter has shown the most loving mother? | ||
| Describe some other children's pictures painted by this great man. | [336 G.B.], [480 G.B.] | |
| Who is generally considered the greatest of all painters? | [220 G.B.] | |
| Name the most famous Madonna in the world. | [220 G.B.] |
(Notice how lines drawn from the head of the Madonna to the heads of the two supporting figures and across their base make a triangle. This balance gives strength to the picture and makes it more pleasing to look at. One reason why art critics say this picture is "without one false note" is its perfect balance. Remember that this regularity and balance of composition mean repose in a picture while a combination of slanting lines and lessening figures suggests motion. (See [38 T.J.]) If slanting lines suggest motion, perpendicular ones show rest, as seen in the figure of Ruth ([44 T.J.]). These perpendicular lines are very much used by the great artists; for instance, look at pages [262 S.A.], [372 S.A.], [382 S.A.], [390 S.A.])
Raphael painted many pictures besides Madonnas. One of his most famous pictures is on page [366 L.J.] There are two other Madonnas by this same artist in "The Golden Book" (pages [356 G.B.], [444 G.B.]). Describe them and learn their names.
What do you think is interesting about the Madonna picture by Carlo Dolci on page [340 G.B.]?
Where does the light come from in the Madonna picture on page [396 G.B.]?
Note another very much like Dolci's (page [400 G.B.]): Can you explain this light?
In the picture on page [414 G.B.] notice how glad every one is that the Christ Child has come: Why do you think the artist made them look so happy?
Which of the Madonnas on pages [364 G.B.], [392 G.B.], [418 G.B.], [432 G.B.], [470 G.B.] do you like best, and why?
Find on page [42 G.B.] one of the most popular modern Madonnas. This is something like the Madonna on [450 G.B.]but it is not considered so good. What do you think is the difference between the two?
What does the Bible call the three men represented as looking at the baby in the Madonna picture on page [408 G.B.]?
What is unusual about the picture by Bouguereau on page [332 G.B.]?
Describe the picture by the same artist on page [426 G.B.].
In what way is the picture on page [332 G.B.] like the one by Murillo on page [450 G.B.]?
How is the picture on page [404 G.B.] like the Adoration of the Angels on page [426 G.B.]?
There are many pictures of the face of Jesus in "The Golden Book" that are worth studying and comparing. Turn, one after another, to the pictures on pages [74 G.B.], [104 G.B.], [288 G.B.], [308 G.B.]; look at each of the faces, and say which you like best, and why.
| Name a very great French artist who was a painter of landscapes. | [38 G.B.] |
| What sort of subject did Sir Joshua Reynolds choose for many of his paintings? In what country did he live? | [46 G.B.], [374 G.B.], [382 G.B.] |
(A group of men in England called the Pre-Raphaelites were fond of painting pictures that tell a story. One of the most famous of these, an allegorical picture, is given on page [466 G.B.] It is interesting to trace out its meaning. See how many prominent features of this picture you can pick out. Notice the three lights: the moonlight, symbol of earth's dimness; the lantern light, symbol of the searching light of conscience; the light around the Master's head, symbol of the light of love. One of the Master's hands is bound by the light of conscience, but the other is free to knock at the door of the heart of man. The brambles and vines of neglect and sin have grown over the door and it has no latch. It can be opened only from within.)
| What woman is ranked among the most famous animal painters of the world? | [378 G.B.] |
| Of what form of art was Thorwaldsen a master? Notice how this form can tell a story | [48 H.T.] |
| Who painted the famous frieze of the Prophets in the Boston Public Library? | [89 H.T.] |
| What prophets are represented in each of the four sections? | [262 S.A.], [372 S.A.], [382 S.A.], [390 S.A.] |
| Tell the history of the great statue of David by Michael Angelo. | [384 H.T.] |
Who was Michael Angelo?
Murillo, great painter of Madonnas, also painted other pictures. Can you tell the story of the two pictures on [64 H.T.], [246 H.T.]?
An interesting picture is given on page [38 H.T.] Can you tell where this family is going and why?
You can tell a story of Jesus from the pictures in the volume, "The Life of Jesus." Follow those in the order suggested and see how much you can tell about Jesus' life from pages [16 L.J.], [40 L.J.], [48 L.J.], [52 L.J.], [56 L.J.], [76 L.J.], [114 L.J.], [232 L.J.], [236 L.J.], [274 L.J.], [312 L.J.].
The pictures of Jesus that we see most often were painted by Hofmann. This artist has painted a great many pictures of Jesus and several are given in the volume, "The Life of Jesus," on pages [84 L.J.], [164 L.J.], [210 L.J.], [266 L.J.]. Would you know from looking at them that these pictures were all painted by the same man? Why?
| Leonardo da Vinci was one of the greatest of Italian painters. What is his most famous picture? | [252 L.J.] |
Can you explain who the men are, represented in this picture ([252 L.J.]), and what they are all talking about? Do you know why Jesus' face is so sad? Look on page [256 L.J.] for a larger picture of the face of Jesus. This is a study made by Da Vinci for his great painting, "The Last Supper," and is called "The Unfinished Christ." It is said of this picture: "Never had such a vision of the face come to mortal before. Never has it been approached in beauty or power by any painter since."
The following is an interesting observation test as well as a help in fixing the beautiful stories in mind. Turn to the picture on page [254 G.B.] Ask the child to examine it closely for a few minutes and then tell you in detail what he sees in the picture. Some children will see many things, others will need suggestions to help them in bringing out [{25}] the interesting points of characters and setting. After the picture is well in mind turn to page [251 G.B.] and read the story of Palm Sunday, letting the child fit his observations to the story.
Other pictures and stories that may be used in the same way are:--
| Pictures. | [16 L.J.], [388 G.B.] |
| Story. | [245 G.B.] |
| Picture. | [458 G.B.] |
| Story. | [49 L.J.] |
| Picture. | [112 G.B.] |
| Story. | [110 G.B.] |
| Picture. | [236 G.B.] |
| Story. | [188 L.J.] |
| Pictures. | [290 L.J.], [300 L.J.] |
| Story. | [265 G.B.] |
| Picture. | [188 G.B.] |
| Story. | [214 G.B.] |
| Picture. | [366 L.J.] |
| Story. | [469 L.J.] |
| Picture. | [Frontispiece H.T.] |
| Story. | [177 G.B.] |