John 19-21

John 19-21

CH – 19 Thing 4 wanted to know why the cross carrier, Simon, who helped Jesus wasn’t mentioned…thing 1 wanted to know why Jesus was known as a Nazarene if He was born in Bethlehem….Thing 3 wanted to know why the Jewish leaders wanted the sign changed…thing 1 wanted to know why His side was pierced… thing 2 wanted to know if Jesus was still alive when they cast lots for his garment…thing 1 waned to know why they used 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes….Jesus was buried by the customary Jewish ritual…thing 4 referred to BRICK TESTAMENT again…thing 3 took notice that John shares with us that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea picked up Jesus’ body…
CH – 20 Thing 4 wanted to know who moved the stone away from the tomb…thing 3 wanted to write the word Rabbi, that Mary said, in Hebrew…thing 1 wanted to know the point of guarding the tomb...she also wanted to know if Thomas would still be blessed even though He doubted…pretty cool to think about…we’re blessed even through our struggles…
CH – 21 Mom just loved the passion of Peter…as soon as he realizes its Jesus voice He jumps into the water 100 yards from shore because he can’t wait to see Jesus…thing 3 wanted to know if Jesus asked Peter 3 times for the 3 times Peter denied Him…I must share that verse 12 has bothered me for the last several years…every time I read it I am troubled by the context…John tells us none of the disciples dared asked Him who He was because they knew it was Jesus…why didn’t Mary recognize Him…she thought he was the gardener?...Friends Scripture tells us Jesus still bears the marks of His suffering…His face is still so scarred that His closest friends didn’t recognize Him…He bares those marks for you...
dad

John 16-18

CH - 16 Thing 4 wanted to know what it meant to be righteous...thing 1 wanted to know what conviction was....thing 3 was interested in knowing how do you believe...there was a variety of words the things needed defined tonight....recieved...labor...assure...confident...when you asked what each word meant they knew the answer...not sure if they were testing me or they just wanted to have a question to ask...
CH - 17....if you've never read this chapter...its a must read...there is a traditional Lord's Prayer...most familiar with the Scriptures have heard it before...but did you know Jesus prayed for you...specifically...this chapter should be known as the Lord's Prayer...read the prayer Jesus prayed before He is betrayed...thing 3 guessed who the son of destruction was....while thing 1 wanted to know what sanctification was...thing 3 wanted to know if Jesus was at the Mount of Olives during this prayer...
CH - 18 Thing 4 wanted to know if it was a soldier who got his ear cut off...thing 2 wanted to know why they brought soldiers and weapons to get Jesus...she also wanted to know if Peter had a sword or did he borrow it...thing 1 wanted to know if the guy who got his ear cut off fight back...thing 1 wanted to know why it was illegal for the Jews to put someone to death....for those keeping score at home the Jews could have put Jesus to death by stoning...but then my friends, Scripture would not have been fulfilled...
dad

John 13-15

CH – 13 Thing 4 wanted to know why Jesus laid aside his robe before washing the disciple’s feet…thing 2 wanted to know if Jesus washed Judas’ feet as well…the text seems to point that he does…AMAZING…thing 3 noticed Jesus still said one of you is not clean after the foot washing…thing 3 also wanted to know why he called them children…thing 4 wanted to know how did Satan enter Judas…thing 3 wanted to know if Satan entered Judas twice…
CH – 14 Thing 3 wanted to know why Judas (not Iscariot) didn’t believe what Jesus said about not revealing Himself…thing 4 notices this was the shortest chapter we’ve read in a while…
CH – 15 The things had some great dialogue around the world hating those who love Jesus…thing 1 asked how the world hated Jesus first…
dad

John 10-12

CH – 10 Thing 4 wanted to know what a pasture was…memaw and papa sit on over 100 acres so the image was easy for him to picture…while thing 3 wanted to know what the owner would do if he showed up and the hired servant let all the sheep die…thing 4 wanted to know about the festivals…Im certain he was just wanting an excuse to party…thing 3 wanted to know if John’s disciples were mentioned somewhere…while thing 1 wanted more clarity around blasphemy…
CH – 11 Thing 1 wanted to know if “Jesus wept” was the shortest verse…interesting we had that dialogue a few nights earlier about what the shortest verse in Scripture was…thing 4 wanted to know why people called Jesus Messiah and Shepherd…thing 3 wanted to know what the big idea was around the Jewish leaders not believing Jesus could raise a man from the dead…he also wanted to know what made Jesus cry…Thing 1 pointed out that Caiaphas prophesied…interesting to me that a man, clearly not in the will of God, still had the ability to prophesy a message from God…tons of implications to ponder there…
CH – 12 Thing 4 wanted to know why they called the money denarius…thing 3 wanted to know if they ended up killing Lazarus…thing 4 pointed out this is the 3rd time he has heard about the palm leaves…I fear our Banana tree leaves could be in jeopardy this summer…it goes something like this…dad - why are all the giant banana tree leaves on the ground…kids- we were acting out the “Triumphal entry” of Jesus…what could I say really?....thing 3 thinks its neat that Mary Magdalene’s washing of Jesus’ feet would always be remembered…
dad

John 7-9

CH - 7 Thing 3 wanted to know what Jesus meant when he said, "Where I am going, you will not be able to find Me"...thing 3 was assuming heaven...but I thing he was really hoping Jesus was as big of fan of hide in seek in the dark as he is....he also wanted to know about the Greeks...and why they thought he was headed there...thing 4 wanted to know why they call it the Mount of Olives....Thing 2 wanted to know if you could take a tour...and thing 3 wanted to know how Jesus slipped away when they planned on stoning Him...
CH - 8 Thing 1 wanted to know if the woman really had committed adultery or if they were testing Jesus...thing 3 wanted to know if it was Mary Magdalene...thing 2 wanted to know how they caught the woman committing adultery...and dad has always wondered where the dude was...thing 3 wanted to know when they went to stone Jesus if there were stones in the temple...thing 2 didn't understand why they were getting so upset as to what Jesus said...
CH - 9 The things were quite perplexed as to why the religious leaders found it so hard to believe Jesus was healing people who had been born blind...thing 4 wanted to know what it meant to be a disciple of Moses...thing 3 wanted to know if the ex-blind guy was physically thrown out and if he was injured in the process...
dad

John 4-6

CH - 4 Speaking of the woman at the well, thing 3 wanted to know why she was so bothered by Jesus asking her for a drink...Thing 2 wanted to know how she knew Jesus was a Jew...we discussed all sorts of things including the phylactery...they all want one...which led to more dialogue about clothing in Jesus' time and why all the men wore dresses...thing 1 wanted to know what the beef between the Samaritans and the Jews was all about...
CH - 5 Thing 4 wanted to know how the angel stirred the water...thing 2 wanted to know what the big deal was about picking up his bed on the Sabbath...I think she was trying to get out of picking up her room on Sundays...
CH - 6 Thing 3 wanted to know how anyone who sees the Son will go to heaven...Thing 4 noticed that when Jesus said you must drink of his blood that He was referring to communion...thing 3 wanted to know why Jesus said that one of his disciples was a devil...he wasnt' thinking about Judas...
dad

John 1-3

CH - 1 Thing 4 asked me to define grace...we used the famous acrostic God's Riches At Christ Expense...describing how we get all the goodness from God not because of anything we have done...but because of what Jesus has done...Thing 3 was perplexed as to how God has always existed...and 3 persons but 1 God was a probably a shade deep...which led to conversation about Jesus and if you could name your child after Him...
CH - 2 Thing 1 just picked up on the temple that Jesus would rebuild in 3 days was Himself...it was neat to see how excited she was...thing 3 wanted to know if they thanked Him for turning water into wine...which leads me to a point...isn't it cool that the God we serve decides that His first miracle would be one to keep the party going...if this offends you stop reading this blog...there is plenty more you'll wanna miss...just wait until Song of Solomon...thing 4 wanted to know if Jesus' mom was a disciple...the kids wanted to know who all knew Jesus turned the water to wine...
CH - 3 Thing 2 wanted to know why she knew John 3:16 but never heard 17...apparently she's a bigger fan of verse 17...she also wanted to know if John performed miracles...which led thing 4 to quote John 3:16...and then thing 2 went on a rant, was Jesus married...why/why not...from there wanted to know how old Jesus' mom was when she died...which led her to discuss how she was going to get married...which led me to get light headed...which led thing 1 to refer to a song about how we must decrease so Jesus can increase...great goal for us all.
dad

Luke 22-24

CH – 22 Thing 4 didn’t know that Judas was filled by Satan before handing Jesus over…which the dialogue led to thing 2 asking why Judas was picked as a disciple and why didn’t Jesus take the devil out of Judas…I have struggled with this a great deal…understanding the sovereignty of God…when you line it up against prophecy…being that prophecy is pattern and not about predicting the future…I try to understand God…but then we are talking about a God who because of LOVE offered His Son as an atoning sacrifice…thing 4 was pretty curious about the sword Jesus said to carry…my young Jedi is looking for any excuse to carry a sword…now Jesus is condoning it…whats a parent to do...
CH – 23 Thing 1 wanted to know why if Pilate didn’t find any fault in Jesus…why still have Him whipped…thing 3 wanted to know what the Sabbath looks like today…great discussion about the physical and spiritual benefits of a day of rest…thing 2 was in service with us today…and asked about the different responses she noticed during communion…
CH – 24 Thing 3 wanted to know why Luke’s account doesn’t mention the suicide of Judas…speaking of Iscariot…thing 2 wanted to know why surnames aren’t used anymore and what hers would be…thing 3 was wanting to know about boiled fish and how Jesus ate it…we had a lot of discussion tonight about the cross…the way Jesus was positioned and the method of crucifixion…which led to Jesus body and blood…thought it would be a great night for communion as a family…pretty amazing…the things never cease to amaze me…
dad

Luke 19-21

CH – 19 Thing 2 wants to know about a sycamore tree…while thing 3 wanted to know if a sycamore tree grows any fruit…thing 1 wanted to know if we still have sycamore trees…thing 4 wanted to know if Zacchaeus had a nice house… thing 4 wanted to know where the Mount of Olives was …while thing 2 quickly chimed in…is that where Olive Garden is…thing 3 was curious to know why call the Synagogue a den of thieves…
CH – 20 Thing 4 quickly stated he knew whether John the Baptist was from heaven or men…thing 3 wanted to know if the brother was still supposed to marry his brother’s widow if he was already married…I said well I guess so…thing 3 then says so he’d have 2 wives…thing 2 said well husband 1 would be the real husband…
CH – 21 Thing 1 wanted to know how much 2 mites was…thing 1 wanted to know what poverty meant…thing 3 wanted to know how giving only 2 coins would be more than someone who gave a lot…thing 3 needed to be reminded about the Pharisees and then wanted to know if you spell it with an “f” or an “ph”…thing 3 also wanted to know why people still refereed to Jesus as Teacher instead of Lord…a couple of thousand years later and the dilemma is the same…Is Jesus is either a great moral teacher or He is your Lord
dad

Luke 16-18

The thoughts of thing 3 & 4 tonight folks...the other things are at the in-laws
CH – 16 Thing 3 wanted to know what genuine means….thing 3 wanted to know how you could be a slave to money…and why money becomes more important than God to people…thing 4 needed a reminder of who the Pharasees were…thing 3 thought the word scoff was quite funny….and also wanted to know how big a chasm was….
CH – 17 Thing 4 wondered why everyone didn’t come and thank Jesus for being healed…he was disappointed in the 9 that did not return…verses 6-10 were very confusing to thing 3 and even harder to explain…he also wanted to know why one person would be taken and the other would not…more tough dialogue…one thing is for certain…when you talk through the tough scriptures with them, it amazes me at the level of faith they walk in…
CH – 18 Thing 4 is wanting to know what kind of treasures in heaven they will be storing…both the things were in need of a scoring system…they wanted to know how to determine the amount of treasures they’d be accumulating….thing 3 is concerned for rich people…he asked if there is something we can do to assure they’d be saved…
dad

Luke 13-15

CH - 13 Thing 2 wanted to know what the crippled lady's ailment was...thing 1 did not understand how healing was working on the Sabbath...she was also confused as to why a prophet could not die outside of Jerusalem...
CH - 14 Thing 1 struggled with why you would do something for someone who couldn't repay you...talking it out I think she got it...thing 2 was concerned if her brother fell in a well on the Sabbath that I couldn't get him out...thing 3 wanted to know more about the banquet...hating your mother and father to follow Christ is some tough dialogue...the things didn't really understand...
CH - 15 thing 2 wanted to know if the parables were true or if they were made up stories...thing 4 didn't think that the prodigal spent his finances wisely...while thing 2 wanted to know why the 2nd son received an inheritance....thing 3 did not ask about the Wii...see Matthew 7-9 post...
dad

Luke 10-12

CH - 10 So the things wanted to know about the Good Samaritan...almost as if they noticed something different about him...interesting dialogue around the difference between a Jew and Samaritan...Thing 1 & 2 asked again about circumcision...
CH - 11 Thing 3 quoted what is known as the Lord's Prayer...thing 2 wanted to know why the name Beelzebub...thing 1 thinks her uncle might give his daughter a scorpion...even they know how ornery my brother is...thing 1 thought the story of Zechariah was referring to Sampson...thought there may have been a typo...thing 2 wants to know when Jesus is talking to people why He calls them a generation...interesting point...really enjoying the fresh perspective...thing 3 wanted to know about discernment...he gave some examples about times his mom was discerning...helps keep him honest...
CH - 12 Thing 3 wants to know the definition of a cubit...while thing 2 wants to know about yeast...thing 3 is not real happy that the servant that didn't know better still gets beat...kinda agree...tough to explain to an 8 year old...thing 2 is less concerned about the the beating and more concerned about people getting cut to pieces...oh how she's in for a big surprise when we make it to the Hebrew Scripture...
dad

Luke 7-9

Things 3 & 4 are at the in laws getting read to by papa…so comments tonight will only be from thing 1 & 2
CH – 7 thing 1 wanted compassion defined… Simon the Pharisee came under a bit of fire tonight…he answered Jesus question correctly…the things are not to sure he got the point…the price of the oil was also a topic of conversation…the things also wanted to know if Mary Magdalene was who was wiping Jesus feet…
CH – 8 thing 1 wanted to know if there was a difference between disciples and “the 12”…thing 2 is still trying to figure out the mothers and brothers comment from Jesus…thing 1 wanted to know why Jesus cast the demons into the pigs…while thing 2 was wondering if this was Jesus way of being nice to the demons…to be honest never I thought of if that way…love the kiddos perspective…who isn’t to say that Jesus was being kind to His creation…fallen angels he may have been compassionate towards…
CH – 9 thing 1 was confused as to why people would have thought he was Elijah or John the Baptist…the things were reminded tonight about those who try to pursue God on their own terms…note here: Jesus intention is not to change who you are…his goal is not to have you fall into the line of religious conformity but…He does require you to come to Him through Himself…there is no other way than through Christ alone…
dad

Luke 4-6

CH – 4 Thing 3 thinks it would have been easier for Jesus to take a knee and would have been given everything….to be able to share that Jesus would have not been perfect and then not been able to pay for our sins…thing 2 wanted to know why Jesus needed to fast during the 40 days…to be honest never thought about that…to be tempted at your weakest physically and mentally and still not stumble…perfection…neat discussion around the temptation of Jesus…
CH – 5 Thing 3 had questions around Jesus going to a deserted place to pray….Thing 4 thinks Gennesaret, also known as the Sea of Galilee, is a funny name for a lake….thing 2 doesn’t think Peter really thought he was catching any fish…
CH – 6 Thing 4 wanted to know what the synagogue was…and wanted to know the definition of paralyzed…thing 2 wants to know why people were trying to hurt Jesus and why they were plotting to kill someone who was doing good…and then wanted to know the definition of blasphemy...thing 4 wanted to talk about the speck and log again…Thing 2 wanted to know if people really built houses on sand…thing 1 says its good to know God is our Rock!
dad

Luke 1-3

CH - 1 Thing 2 wanted to know if Luke wrote Luke....thing 1 asked what it means to be intimate...more smooching talk...Thing 3 wants to know why Zechariah was made mute but Mary was not...Thing 4 was interested in how long Zechariah didn't talk...Thing 3 wanted to know if Mary and Joseph were engaged before she went to stay with Elizabeth...
CH - 2 Thing 3 wanted to know when Jesus was missing why his parents didn't check the Temple first...thing 1 wanted to know what language Jesus spoke...Aramiac was the primary language based by the region He was from... Hebrew/Greek/Latin as well...for those scoring at home...I still struggle with English can't imagine understanding at least 4 languages...thing 2 wants to know what Jesus taught the preist and scribes at the Temple...and thing 4 wants to know why Luke's chapters are so long...
CH - 3 Thing 3 is curious if Philip the tetrarch is the disciple with the same name...thing 1 wanted to know what wages are...thing 3 is disturbed no girls are mentioned in the genealogy...I chopped some of these names up so bad...I don't know if you could tell or not.
dad

Mark 13-16

CH - 13 Thing 3 says I didn't know it snowed in Israel, it says they have winter...Thing 1 asked about the abomination of desolation...Hebrew Scripture reference... to much to blog...study it for yourself...Thing 2 wanted to know what we'd do if Jesus came back tomorrow...Thing 3 is worried about the door keeper...if he has to watch the door day and night of course he's going to get tired...
CH - 14 Thing 2 wanted to know if Jesus drank wine...she thought thats what the fruit of the vine was...for those who care....Jesus said he would not take the fruit of the vine again...he only took 3 cups of the Passover Seder (Last Supper) that night...it wasn't to institute not drinking...according to the Oral Tradition of Scripture The Messiah wouldn't take of the 4th cup of the Seder until He officially announced His Kingdom...which would be at His Second Coming....thing 4 wants to know whats with the naked guy...whats that about, really...tradition teaches this was Mark the Gospel in which bares his name...
CH - 15 Thing 3 ask about the wine and myrrh mix...and remembered that myrrh was one of the gifts given to Him by the wise men...
CH - 16 Thing 2 doesn't remember Mary Magdalene having demons cast out of her...she also wanted to know if the angel at the tomb was Gabriel...
dad

Mark 10-12

CH - 10 Thing 3 wanted to know if Bartimaeus ended up following Jesus as a disciple...all the things loved his passion...Mark wrote the book on behalf of Peter...kind of like his scribe...the neat thing is there is a tradition that states Mark was the rich young ruler with many possessions...who ended up selling everything to follow Jesus...I told them about this tradition before we starting reading and we noticed vs 21...Then, looking at him, Jesus LOVED him and said to him, "You lack one thing....never have I seen that before...maybe there is something to these traditions...
CH 11 - Thing 1 wanted to know what was so special about the palm branches...as thing 3 asked some questions about the fig tree that withered he said in Matthew it immediately withered....while Mark didn't see until the next day...the things are listening...Thing 2 liked the fact that Jesus made a whip when he was upset...Thing 1&2 are ready for mountain moving business...but want to start with smaller object such as the lamp...
CH 12 - Thing 3 was concerned about the widow...wanted to know if she had more than 2 coins because he has more than that....Thing 2 wanted to know where the widow lived....Thing 1 wanted to know how much 2 mites is...and I am reminded how richly blessed we are!
dad

Mark 7-9

CH - 7 Thing 3 wants to know what a hypocrite is...I thought we'd already discussed this...thing 2 answers immediately...thing 4 wanted to know if what Jesus said in verse 34 was Spanish...and then the things discussed Jesus putting His fingers in someones ears and then spitting on them...I'm certain there is a deep theological purpose behind the spitting...but I have a feeling I have a couple of boys that will be spitting on the next of the things that is not feeling well...
CH - 8 Once again there is more spitting...this time its in the eyes...the next ill person is in a heap of trouble...I don't know what were going to do...So good ol' Peter identifies Jesus as the Christ and 3 verses later he is being rebuked by Jesus...thing 3 wants to know if Satan entered Peter or if Satan just put the idea in Peter's head....in which thing 2 wants to know why the New Testament is so short...not sure where that came from...
CH - 9 Thing 2 wants to know what it means to be contempt...while thing 3 is wanting to know about the young man that kept throwing himself into fire and water and didn't die...Thing 4 wanted to know if the guy that was casting out devils in Jesus name was one of his disciples...and how was he doing those things if he wasn't a disciple...
dad

Mark 4-6

CH - 4 Thing 2 wants to know what a sickle is? As she then goes on and describes the farming tool in which she thinks it is...she nailed it...thing 4 says if the wind and the sea aren't people how can they listen...thing 3&4 have alot of questions around the frequency of this tiny seed showing up in Scripture...thing 2 shares her thoughts on what kind of boat Jesus was sleeping in...
CH - 5 Thing 2 wanted to know what kind of issue of blood the lady dealt with for 12 years...thing 1 wants to know if all the people trying to get to Jesus and all the traveling He did if there were people who wanted to be healed but couldn't get to Him...in which thing 2 wanted to know if Jesus wanted to heal someone but God said it was their time, would he just let them die...
CH - 6 Thing 3 wants to know what kind of dancing earns a girl half of a kingdom...why would Herod give a girl so much if she just danced...I in turn am curious.
dad

Mark 1-3

CH - 1 Some things were confused as to why the story of Jesus started over...they thought it would be like a book and go from beginning to end...thing 2 states that this was the shorter version of the temptation of Jesus...she felt Mark left out some details that were important to her...I seem to be on a slippery slope...mom to the rescue...as she explains do you know when I take you guys to park and when we come home I have your write what all we saw and experienced...you all write different things but they each tell us about the same story of our day...that is how the Gospels are written...they each write about the same story but they write about it 4 different ways...she's amazing...married way out of my league...
CH - 2 Thing 1 wants to know why they used skins instead of bottles for wine...in which she then reminds herself of family field trip to HERE in which the docent, fancy name for a museum tour guide, stated that the Buffalo was like the Wal-mart for Indians....they used the Buffalo for everything...including the bladder for a canteen...as you can see this conversation was becoming distracting fast as we were determining which body parts could be used for wine skins....Thing 4 believes you could cut him at the knee and use the bottom part of his leg...we are in some serious trouble here...in which thing 3 says Jesus sent the paralytic home, that had been dropped through the roof, well what if they guy wanted to stay and hear Jesus teach?
CH - 3 Thing 3 wants to know why Jesus dad isn't mentioned among the family....while thing 4 needs to know the difference between an apostle and a disciple...Thing 2 really needs to hear God speak to her in an audible voice....she wants to know what it sounds like...me too...in which thing 4 says he hears God's voice every night....Thing 2 reverts back to maybe next time she's bored God will speak to her out loud...and she also needs clarification on how Jesus can live in everyone's heart....as thing 3 says...the Holy Spirit must be a big Ghost!
dad

Matthew 25-28

CH - 25 Thing 3 had some questions about the virgins...explained that some virgins were prepared for the return of the Groom and others were not....which brought up questions around the security of the believer...ps that's not how the question was phrased...but was the thought behind it...thing 3 was not happy that the groom knew the virgins were outside and did not let them in....love his heart...he is quite the gentleman...moving to the next parable....thing 3 asked why didn't the slaves who earned more talents give some to the guy who didn't have any...thing 3 believed the best thing would be to give some to the guy who didn't have any...I love the play on words here especially in English...what talents do you have that you may be hiding? or at least not using to advance the kingdom? You have been given such talents not to be selfish with...the things are pretty excited to find out about the benefits of serving others...everything they do for other people...they do to Jesus....great parables....I absolutely love the stories Jesus is sharing with us here right before his death...
CH - 26 All things are moved by the heart of Peter...thing 2 is encouraged at how broken Peter was for denying Jesus...she says she gets upset when she fails...Thing 1wanted to know from Jesus statement if Peter died from the sword...thing 3 immediately states what tradition says...that Peter died on a cross that was upside down...Once again the religiousness of thing 3...he wants names...he want the names of those false witnesses...thing 1 wants to know why the lady wiping Jesus feet name wasn't mentioned...I told her she is mentioned by name in another Gospel...the things recognized something tonight that I have recognized before...at the Last Supper each disciple calls Jesus Lord...except Judas he calls him teacher...we must know Jesus as more than a great philosophical teacher He must be the Lord of your life...very subtle but that is a huge difference...
CH - 27 thing 3 has many more questions about Joseph of Arimathea than I have answers...but here a few interesting tid bits...Josesph was very wealthy....po folk didn't have have personal tombs... more intriguing to me is that he was in hiding...that is what the original text states...not that he was a secret follower but that he was a follower in hiding...I wonder who he was having to hide from...and lastly the gipper...he had personal access to Pilate...not many could approach Pilate and to ask for the body he had to be kin...yep he had to be related to Jesus in some way to ask for his body...you piece all that together...yeh it adds an amazing dynamic
CH - 28 Jesus says He has all authority... GO...translated means "as you are going...go with purpose"....make disciples...observe and remember
dad

Matthew 22-24

CH - 22 Thing 3 was a shade disturbed by a guy being kicked out of wedding feast because of what he was wearing...its interesting to try to explain the differences in a religion...I tried to compare it to denominations...to which the things were oblivious...which is the way it should be....for those wondering in Jesus' time the Sadducees were usually the wealthy aristocrats who held power and position...they accommodated Rome at the time to keep the peace which ensured their prosperity...they focused more on politics than religion....most importantly they didn't believe in the after life or the spiritual life...which means they didn't believe in heaven or eternity which made them sad-you-see...the Pharisees were usually the hard working middle class...they took the Scripture as inspired by God...embraced the oral traditions...believed in the resurrection of the dead...
CH - 23 Woe man Jesus is not happy here....He's not to fond of the hypocrites...thing 2 needs hypocrite defined....thing 3 wants to know why they white washed tombs....Jesus is explaining having an outward appearance of good but being evil on the inward...or better looking alive on the outside but being dead on the inside
CH - 24 Thing 1 is concerned about the false prophets....is curious how to know who they are....the things were confused to find out that people use the name of Jesus to further religious causes but do not believe in his teachings....Thing 2 pulls one out of left field and wanted to know if Judas went to hell....only 4 chapters left in Matthew the things wanted to finish it off tonight....we'll wait until tomorrow!
dad

Matthew 19-21

CH - 19 lets start with a bang....thing 2 says dad what is sexual immorality...so I don't know if we've mentioned the kiddos ages but they range from 3 months to 11 years...oh I know your sitting on pins and needles to know the answer....the short of it is...you know mom and I like to smooch...to which we hear giggles and some say, "well, YEAH!" I went on to say mom and I do more than smooch and the Scriptures teach us that if we do that with someone we're not married to that God sees it as sin...or missing the mark...what could be the follow up question to that? Leave it thing 3 to say...what's a eunuch?...well buddy, that is a guy without his package...to which thing 3 replies I've named my package...thing 3 also wanted to know why the rich man couldn't give up everything to follow Jesus...he would give up anything to hang out with Jesus....Thing 4 wanted to know how first can be last...great discussion around humility...too much to blog...thing 2 wanted to know if heaven was just going to be a bunch of clouds...this does not appeal to her at all, see Super Mario Wii image...we did hear great things about their perception of heaven
CH - 20 Thing 2 wanted to know how much is a denarius...there were no takers to have a days wage to be one coin... I guess inflation has ruined that idea...even for a 9 year old....Thing 3 wanted to know how long the blind men followed Jesus...and if they could be part of the disciples....all things thought James and John's mom was being a little selfish with her request...but wanted to know who would be sitting at Jesus' right hand
CH - 21 Thing 2 wanted to know about the temple and the details of the design...while thing 4 wanted to know how if John had a mother how he came from heaven..for the older things it was neat to see them work through the parable of the owner of the vineyard...for them to recognize Jesus as the son that went to the vineyard and was murdered, it was eye opening as they worked through it...Jesus enters the city and the climax is yet to come
dad

Matthew 16-19

Ch - 16 Thing 3 wants to know why Jesus teaches on the same things more than once...The kiddos thought nothing of Peter professing Jesus as the Christ...ps Christ is not Jesus last name this is who He is...we are totally enjoying how much they believe in truth and take it as such...even when I ask them questions they are so witty with their responses...
CH - 17 Thing 1 wanted to know if Jesus paid taxes since He did get the tax from the fish...which leads me to think maybe I should go fishing...Thing 2 wanted to know if every persons tax was the same...I must admit I may have teared up slightly ...see why here...and then she added cutting the coins in half would have been hard. Thing 2 also wanted to know how to make her faith bigger...she decided little faith wasn't something she wanted to be labeled with....which reverted back to the mustard comment...so how many mustard seeds does it take to make a bottle of mustard...
CH - 18 The things may have recognized the digression in faith they could face as they get older...and the importance of walking in faith...you know I have good friends that struggle with not having certain answers...when I have struggled more with being accountable to the answers I do have..the kiddos realized they each must become more forgiving - to forgive 7x70 was a big number for some of the little minds to wrap around...but we all see this as an area we need to improve
dad

Matthew 13-15

CH-13 - After the list of Jesus' family I thought we were going to have anarchy on our hands..as thing 3 asked what do you mean Judas was Jesus' brother? As thing 2 really gets ticked...and then she says I hope this is a different Judas...the things were a tad frustrated to realize Jesus was treated like a bastard (language mine) by his hometown...Thing 2 wanted to know how a mustard seed made mustard and how it could grow to a giant tree...which almost opened a can of worms of how the kingdom parables are grossly misunderstood and mistaught by the modern church...I refrained from a theological lesson that could have been way too deep...but instead led to another reference to the famous, at least around our house, BRICKTESTAMENT. So many moons ago thing 3 has an idea to put the Scripture in legos...low and behold someone has already put it together....please note although this site is done in legos there are ratings involved please protect yourself from untimely conversations with your 5 year old...
CH 14 - Thing 2 immediately says that was a short chapter whys that? Try explaining chapters were added around the 13th century....too much to blog...when thing 3 says what would you think if you saw Sampler, my good buddy, walking on water? In which I of course would want to join the fun...which opened the door of could we all walk on water now? ...of course we can. I'm sure we'll all try when summer hits. As Scripture always naturally transitions...thing 1 wants some clarification on why Herodias wanted John the Baptists' head on a platter...try explaining that to an 11 year old...head on a platter is totally rational..thing 3 wants to know what is wrong if he marries his brothers wife....no were not bigamist...so I'm confused...but my wife does have a cute sister.
Ch 15 - As the things display mad math skills trying to figure out how many people were fed...there was math with every man having a wife...every man having a wife and kid...and so on...we concluded Jesus fed alot of people. Thing 3 says when Jesus prays tons of people get fed.
dad

Matthew 10-12

Thing 1&2 are staying at grandparents...will be read to this evening by papa....enjoy the dialogue from thing 3&4
CH 10 - Thing 3 wants to know how you find your life if your alive? Once your alive how do you loose it for Jesus? Seemed satisfied to understand once someone gives their life to Jesus they will truly find life...discussed martyrs some last night and he believes he'd be tough enough to stand up for Christ...Thing 4 wanted to know about the wolves seems both boys are intrigued with fighting against wolves and asked if you could be led into the desert to be eaten by wolves?? I assume this train of thought could be from the AVATAR game for the Wii they purchased at local game swap store...Thing 3 is pretty stoked about being as wise as a serpent...don't think he bought into being as harmless as a dove...Thing 4 wanted to know if the cup of water was for a boy or a girl...think he wanted an excuse to give a girl a cup of water....scary thing he is quite the ladies man.
CH 11 - For thing 3&4 this was the first time the word mourn got their attention and needed a definition...Both were also intrigued by the least in the kingdom of heaven being greater than John...when explained John was the last of the OT (0riginal Testament, I hate the world Old) prophets they were pretty excited to be "greater" than John considering they think the locust and honey eating, camel skin wearing guy could have been pretty cool to kick it with...Thing 3 also needed clarification on how if He knows who the Son is, how is the Father the only one who knows Him...after making sure it was Son not Sun
CH - 12 thing 4 wanted to know how many brothers came to see Jesus, how many brothers he had, and if he had sisters....actually happy to find out Jesus had a large family too...Jesus prophecy about Jonah led to a favorite family discussion...was Jonah swallowed by a whale or a fish....the word dag/fish appears about 20 times in OT always is translated fish...which led to a conversation about noodling...only in the south my friends would 6&8 year old boys know about such a "sport"...I think a man could be swallowed by a catfish...in which my reply would be no more lakes for me!
dad

Matthew 7-9

CH - 7 Thing 1 & 3 are very concerned about the individual who was walking around with a log sticking out of their eye...The concern was either about comfort level or how to be productive with a large stick protruding out of one's eye...As far as the house on sand goes, thing 2 wanted to know if she could invite those with houses on sand to church....she wanted to know once someone chooses to build on sand if they can move their house to the Rock? Thing 3 is quite the skeptic...he may be a religious fellow...he thinks all people need to do is read the Scriptures and they would have all the answers they need....Thing 4 is amazed at how much of the Scriptures he knows and understands...while thing 5 is having a hard time sitting still...when asked if anyone has a questions he just shouts MMMEEEE!
CH - 8 Thing 3 wants gnashing of teeth defined while thing 2 says its the sound her teeth make when she is trying not to throw up...thing 1 agrees. Thing 2 is pretty upset at Jesus for not letting the guy go bury his father....why the rush...as I explained this guy was wanting to go back and wait for his inheritance and serve Jesus on his own time...she was forgiving....which leads to ancient customs and inheritance dialogue...too much to type but we ended with thing 3, our first son, wanting to know if that meant he would get the Wii....Thing 1 is very practical and wanted to know if God calls her to do something like go to Korea how would she get there...
CH - 9 Thing 1 wanted to know if Matthew knew Jesus or just left everything to follow Him? Thing 3 wanted to know how we knew what a good shepherd was and what exactly was his job description...then immediatly reverted back to the inheritance and wanted to make sure he would be sole owner of the Wii....Thing 2 was concerened about demons...wanted to know how someone got one and if they were something you could be born with....Thing 3 wants to know about the Wii again...
dad

Matthew 4-6

CH - 4 Brings us to the temptation of Jesus..thing 3 is not at all convinced that the devil would have kept his word but nonetheless came up with a great strategy...he said that if he was Jesus he would have put a mattress at the bottom of the temple and then jumped down to the mattress just to play a joke on the devil...sounded like a good enough idea to me. Concerning Zebedee...the father of James and John...thing 2 once again concerned about the parental guidance of those in Scripture wanted to know if the disciples parents are ever mentioned again in Scrpture...with the exception of Peter's mother in law I couldn't think of another....not good news for the mothering type...
CH - 5 I continue to be deeply humbled by the knowledge my kids do have how perceptive they are....thing 4 was very excited about reading certain passages that he remembered from our NEST - animated Scripture stories, a must have for kids of all ages. They enjoyed the group of readings from images they have already seen. However thing 2 was making sure she didn't miss any conversations, she said Jesus did alot of talking there didn't He?
CH - 6 All the kiddos knew the Lord's Prayer as well. They were basking as they were reciting as to what I was reading. As far as fasting- not interested at this time. All though the wife has instituted rice nights every other week where we allow our family to experience the simple meal the majority of the world has every night. Our kids have embraced the idea....hoping it is used as a simple reminder of truly how blessed we are. As far as worry...none really they said they don't have to worry about what to eat or where to sleep....that's our jobs! until next time - dad

Matthew 1-3

So we decided to start our funfilled adventure in the New Testament...
CH - 1 so really whats the deal with all the names some are impossible to pronounce and the kiddos are just fighting back smiles as they hear dear old dad struggle with what is supposed to be the english language...THING 2 asks - Was it Joseph that was fat?? No honey Jehospaphat was the great-great- ect grandfather of Jesus and that was his name. Which the kids think walking around with that name would have had many challenges.
CH - 2 the wise men from the East was a little to vague they wanted more details...where were these guys from...none were convinced Herod was going to do any worshiping...no questions about the gifts for a pretty big reason....we've explained those gifts before...My much better half years ago implemented a 3 gift Christmas...we struggle with the whole Christmas thing anyway,but our kids get 4 gifts from us each year...new PJs to wear Christmas Eve...and something they want - something they need - and something to read...we keep it simple and focus on doing more for others and the true meaning of Christmas.
CH - 3 Thing 3 was very concerned for John the Baptist why did his parent only give him locust and honey... they wanted to know if his parents died and thats all the food he could find...and if he got to go to other places besides the wilderness....can't wait until tomorrow
dad

intro: Here's the whys

So we have been married for over a decade. We have what most would consider a large family....6 kiddos... I married way out of my league so I like the practice....We are unapologetically Christ followers and strive to teach our kids to emulate Him. Which leads us to this year...we wanted to capture our kids thoughts about the Bible. We hear them all the time and wanted to pass along the entertainment. They have a real and untainted view of the goodness of God and who He is. No religion just the relationship that each of them have with Him. So we hope your enjoy our journey as we catalog the thoughts, ideas, and perspectives of the most amazing kids and their deep theological perspective.....dad