Previously, I mentioned the necessity of teaching children basic concepts about the Bible: what it is, where it came from, who wrote it, and why it is important. This current lesson is necessary to help build the skills that children need to become students of the Word of God.
Children need to memorize the books of the New Testament. From an early age children can learn to “Books of the New Testament” song. The song has a very easy tune. Why do children need to memorize the books of the New Testament?
- To have more knowledge about the Bible.
- To have the knowledge necessary to learn to look up scriptures in the New Testament.
- To be better equipped to search in their own Bible study as they grow up.
- To be better equipped to share the Bible with the friends and neighbors (as they grow up).
To further expand the lesson on the books of the New Testament, you might describe a little bit about what the name of each book entails. Four instance, the books of 1st and 2nd Corinthians were written to a congregation of Christians in the city of Corinth (and also for us today). If it is known, teach children about who wrote the books of the New Testament (you might even explain that Paul wrote most of it). When I taught this lesson I brought a map into the room and I showed the children locations where the letters were sent. My students really enjoyed the visual of the map (although I do not think they really have a concept of where these places were located – they will as they get older).
Why did I begin with the books of the New Testament before the books of the Old Testament? There is one main reason: learning the books of the New Testament is just simpler. There are fewer books in the New Testament than in the Old Testament. There are fewer names of Books that children do not know. The song to learn the books of the New Testament is simple and easy. Once children have mastered the books of the New Testament, they can begin the longer (and harder) process of learning the books of the Old Testament.