Stepping Stones
Third Grade Bible Sunday is a cherished tradition at HP Pres. Each class of third graders is invited to be a part of this special day, celebrating the steps children take to own their faith. Even at a young age, they can learn about the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and how much he loves each and every one of us. Participating in Third Grade Bible Sunday last year, Jackson shares, “It’s important to learn about the word of God. The Bible shows us that he is all powerful and almighty.”
On Third Grade Bible Sunday, the kids and parents attend a class to learn techniques on how to study the Bible. Third graders are then gifted a Bible of their own to practice reading Scripture. Jackson was excited to receive his study Bible, sharing “My favorite part of the day was looking at and reading my new Bible.” His spark of curiosity reminds us that there is so much to learn about our faith.
Although the stories in the Bible were written long ago, they hold lessons for us in today’s world. Jackson’s favorite Bible story is of David and Goliath because “David is brave, and my takeaway is that we can do hard things.” Like David, we are only human beings, but God invites us to live extraordinary lives in relationship with him.
When we feel weak, tired, or confused, we can look to God’s word to encourage and clarify. As he grows older, Jackson continues to put to use the study skills he learned last year. He shares, “I like how the word of the Lord makes me feel – like I am safe in his hands, and he will provide. And nothing can change that.”
Nurturing healthy habits in our children lays stepping stones for their faith, building a pathway to the cross that they can look back on later in life. Third grade is an age where kids ask a lot of questions as they build the foundation of their identity. Encouraging them to remain inquisitive and to find the answers in the Bible will help them grow confident in themselves and their faith.
Jackson continues to study his Bible, learning how he can share his excitement about God’s word with others. He reminds us that we can all share God’s love by “making others feel happy, included, and loved. And sharing the gospel!”
Learn how your kids can take ownership of their faith at hppres.org/kids.
