Resources for Teaching the Hebrew Scriptures

Children's Bibles

Early Friends knew the Bible well and often quoted it in their writings. Children's Bibles are varied in their presentation and Michael Gibson, former Religious Education Coordinator at FGC wrote a review of several available Bibles which was updated in 2009.

2013-14 Wisdom for Life Resources

Our theme for 2013-14 was inspried by two page spread in the Dorling Kindersly Illustrated Bible Story by Story (2012 ISBN:978-0-7566-8962-9) which focuses on the Book of Proverbs. However, in addition to Proverbs there are many other passages in the Bible, both the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, which provide guidance for living, such as the 10 Commandments, the Parables and the Beatitudes. These resources highlight a few of them, but you should also look through the earlier biblical resources for additional ideas and suggestions.

DK Illustrated Bible Story by Story

Several pages from this richly illustrated Bible resource focusing on guidance for living

Godly Play stories

Godly Play has a number of stories from the Hebrew Scriptures. One of these, the 10 Best Ways, tells the story of the 10 Commandments in a child-friendly way. An interfaith project a few years ago produced a book called the 11th Commandment, finding out from children, if they could make up an 11th commandment, what would it be?

Fall 2008 Resources

This fall we will be focusing on the Hebrew Scriptures, formerly referred to as the Old Testament. These stories tell about God's people and their relationships with God and each other.

Teaching the Old Testament to Quaker Children

Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, Religious Education Committee, 1990 (as a collection of Friendly Seeds), reprinted 1995 and 2001, 110 pp.

Content: This packet includes lessons on Old Testament men and women, including Jacob, Joseph and his brothers, Moses, Joshua, Ruth, David and Goliath, Amos, and Jonah. The introduction includes a general approach to teaching the Old Testament stories. Designed for unprogramed Friends.
Common themes: communication with God, non-violence and sibling relationships.
Age Range: Kg.-8th grade. Some of the discussion questions and activities are recommended for particular ages.
Preparation Time: One-half to one hour weekly.
Number of Lessons: There are 11 lessons which could take 11 or more weeks to complete if the whole curriculum is used. However, each chapter is written so it can be presented by itself.
Activities: These include songs, cooking, word searches, role playing, stick puppets, and other crafts. Discussion questions bring relevance to the Bible stories and to Quakerism.
Supplies/Equipment: A Bible to read or tell a story from and a Bible atlas, if possible. Ideally each child in the class should have access to their own Bible or use one belonging to the meeting.

Online Bible Resources

This website provides searchable access to over 100 versions of the Bible in over 50 languages.
This is another bible reference website showing various versions side by side. And another online bible reference website

Making Space October 2006

This issue of Making Space published by the Religious Education coordinator for Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, includes a variety resources and tips for teaching the Bible to Quaker children. Two brief articles are mentioned in this issue which are also included below.

Graphic Outline for study of the Old Testament

This booklet was published by FGC Religious Education Committee in 1953 and relies on the Dartmouth edition of the Bible. While probably not useful for direct use in our classes, the booklet contains some interesting information about cultural customs during Biblical times as well as some discussion of the changing way the Hebrews came to understand God as their society developed. For teacher reference.

Young Children and Worship

This 1989 book by Sonja M. Stewart and Jerome W. Berryman is the precursor to what became Godly Play. This book includes background on the essential elements of worshiping with children as well as scripts and lists of materials for stories from the Hewbrew Scriptures as well as the New Testament. Included here are stories from the Hebrew Scriptures and five stories related to the Advent/Christmas season.

Learn more about Godly Play from our Teacher Training Workshop materials here.

Stories from the Hebrew Scriptures

Advent Stories

More Resources